At $16,882/yr net price, Albion College graduates earn $58,799/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,799/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,882 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $67,528 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,799/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,799/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.1% |
| 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 | $11,241/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,541/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,936/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,176/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,793/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $62,632 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $45,715 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $41,349 | $26,849 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $35,420 | $26,047 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $22,845 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $27,222 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
57.1% of students at Albion 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
Albion College gives you a solid but uneven financial return. At just under $17,000 a year net, you land at median earnings that clear the debt you take on, and the $27,000 median debt roughly matches one year of typical post-graduation pay. That's a workable ratio, but it hides big gaps between what different majors here actually earn.
Accounting is the clear winner at Albion. It pays nearly $63,000 ten years out, and it carries the same debt load as the fitness degree that pays under $34,000. Same borrowing, almost double the paycheck. Business and economics land in the middle, both under the school's overall median earnings, which tells you the higher-paying professional tracks are pulling that number up. If you come here for teacher education or health and physical education, you'll leave with $26,000 to $27,000 in debt and starting-teacher-level pay, which makes repayment slow and tight.
The real risk at Albion is finishing. Only 69% of students return after the first year, and 57% graduate. If you borrow and don't finish, you carry the debt with no degree to pay it off, and roughly one in three students here don't make it past year one. Michigan's job market outside metro Detroit and Grand Rapids also limits where the education and health degrees translate into higher pay.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay around $11,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay close to $26,000, more than double. Albion is a strong fit if you're targeting accounting or a business path and qualify for the lower tiers. If you're paying the top-tier price for a teaching or fitness degree, the math works against you, and a cheaper Michigan public would likely serve you better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albion College worth the cost for the salary you'll earn?
With graduates earning a median of $58,799 after 10 years and typical debt around $27,000, Albion College provides decent but not exceptional returns. The accounting program stands out with $62,632 median earnings, while education and fitness majors earn significantly less at $33,000-35,000.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Albion College?
Albion College has a concerning 57% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't finish their degree. Those who do graduate and pursue accounting or business generally find better job markets than education or fitness majors.
How much debt do Albion College students typically graduate with?
Albion College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given the $58,799 median earnings after 10 years. The debt-to-income ratio works out reasonably for most programs, especially accounting and business.
Which Albion College programs offer the best return on investment?
Accounting is Albion's strongest ROI program with $62,632 median earnings, followed by business management at $45,715. Education and fitness programs show poor returns with starting salaries around $33,000-35,000 despite similar tuition costs.