At $21,504/yr net price, Adrian College graduates earn $55,504/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,504/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,504 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $86,016 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,504/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,504/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,688/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,581/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,528/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,062/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,926/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $42,188 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,123 | $27,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $38,829 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $28,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $37,671 | $30,994 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $27,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $32,382 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $30,554 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $30,228 |
The Risk Factor
56.0% of students at Adrian College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Adrian College gives you a mixed financial return. The median graduate earns $55,504 ten years out, which clears the $27,000 median debt load, so the overall payoff works. But that school-wide number sits well above what the listed programs actually report, and the gap tells you a lot about where the risk lives.
The named majors here pay on the low end. Marketing and business administration top the list around $42,000, and criminal justice, teacher education, and biology fall below that. Teacher education is the worst combination: the lowest pay of the group paired with the highest debt at nearly $31,000. If you're going into education here, you're borrowing more to earn less, and that math takes years to recover. Business and marketing are your safest bets among the programs shown, though neither is a high earner in Michigan's regional job market.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. A 56% graduation rate and a 60% retention rate mean roughly two in five students who start don't come back or don't finish. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and those odds are real here. If you leave with $27,000 in loans and no diploma, none of the earnings figures apply to you.
Net price rewards lower-income families. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay around $15,600, but that jumps to $24,000 once you cross $75,000 and nearly $27,000 above $110,000. Middle and upper-income families pay close to sticker.
Adrian is a reasonable fit if you qualify for the lower price tiers, plan to study business or marketing, and are confident you'll finish. If you're aiming at teaching or you're a middle-income family paying full freight, run the numbers hard before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adrian College worth the cost for the ROI?
Adrian College graduates earn a median of $55,504 after 10 years, which is below average for the $21,504 annual cost. With only a 56% graduation rate and $27,000 in typical debt, the financial return is modest compared to similar schools.
What are the best paying majors at Adrian College?
Marketing and Business Administration are the top earners at Adrian College, with graduates making around $42,000 annually. However, these salaries are relatively low compared to national averages for business majors.
How much student debt do Adrian College graduates typically have?
Adrian College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable relative to their $55,504 median earnings. The debt-to-income ratio is reasonable, though the overall earning potential remains limited.
Should I attend Adrian College if I want to be a teacher?
Adrian College education majors earn about $37,671, which aligns with typical teacher salaries in Michigan. Given the school's education programs and the stable job market for teachers, this could be a reasonable choice despite the modest pay.