At $21,664/yr net price, Albright College graduates earn $58,700/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,700/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,664 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $86,656 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,700/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,700/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.2% |
| 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 | $16,982/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,524/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,071/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,273/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,680/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $50,856 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $50,439 | $25,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $48,041 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,612 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $38,829 | $27,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $25,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $37,928 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $37,568 | $27,000 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $36,312 |
The Risk Factor
42.2% of students at Albright 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
Albright College gives you a mixed financial return with real warning signs. Median earnings of $58,700 ten years out sit above the debt you'd carry, but the 42% graduation rate means fewer than half of you finish, and a 63% retention rate says a third of you leave after the first year. If you don't graduate, you're stuck with debt and no degree to pay it off.
Your major decides everything here. Information Science pays off best, clearing $63,000 and beating the school median by a wide margin. Computer and Information Sciences and Accounting land in the low $50,000s and carry manageable debt around $25,000. The general Business degrees are weaker bets: Business Administration graduates earn under $44,000, roughly $19,000 less than Information Science majors while carrying about the same $26,000 in loans. Pick the specific technical or accounting track, not the broad business one.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Reading, PA is not a high-wage metro, so the earnings ceiling for weaker-paying majors is real. Combine a coin-flip graduation rate with $27,000 in typical debt and the downside is concrete: you pay for years without the credential that justifies the cost.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $17,000 a year, close to $12,000 less than families over $110,000, who pay nearly $29,000. That top-tier price for a school with this graduation rate is hard to justify unless you're locked into a strong-paying major.
Albright fits you if you're aiming at Information Science, computer science, or accounting and you're confident you'll graduate. If you're drawn to general business or unsure about finishing, look for a school with better retention or a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albright College worth the cost?
Albright College graduates earn a median of $58,700 ten years after graduation, which is reasonable given the $21,664 annual net price. However, the 42% graduation rate means many students don't complete their degree, making it a risky investment for some.
What are the best paying majors at Albright College?
Information Science leads Albright's earnings at $63,005, followed by Computer Science at $50,856. Business and accounting programs earn $43,612-$50,439, which are solid returns for the cost.
How much debt do Albright College students graduate with?
Albright graduates have a median debt of $27,000. This debt level is manageable for graduates in higher-paying fields like information science, but could be challenging for those in lower-earning majors.
Does Albright College have good financial aid?
Albright's net price of $21,664 suggests decent financial aid since the sticker price is higher. The aid appears to make the school affordable for middle-income families, though outcomes depend heavily on choosing the right major.