At $17,839/yr net price, Alice Lloyd College graduates earn $40,573/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,573/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,839 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $71,356 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,573/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,573/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,599 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,717/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,334/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,436/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,709/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,723/yr |
The Risk Factor
26.4% of students at Alice Lloyd College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Alice Lloyd College delivers poor financial returns that reflect its remote Appalachian location and limited career services. With median earnings of just $40,573 ten years after graduation and a graduation rate under 27%, you face significant odds that your investment won't pay off.
The college's biggest red flag is its abysmal retention rate of 58%. Most students leave before completing their degree, often carrying debt without the credential to show for it. Those who do graduate enter a regional job market with few high-paying opportunities, making the relatively low debt load of $19,599 feel heavier than it appears.
Alice Lloyd's work-study program requires students to work on campus for tuition coverage, which sounds appealing but limits your ability to gain relevant internship experience or build professional networks outside the mountains of eastern Kentucky. This isolation hurts job prospects after graduation.
The school might work financially if you plan to stay in Appalachia for careers in education, social work, or healthcare, where the regional context matters more than prestige. Local teaching positions or community health roles align with the college's mission and regional needs.
Alice Lloyd offers full tuition coverage through its work program, making it essentially free if you complete the work requirements. However, this financial benefit only matters if you actually graduate and find employment that justifies even the modest living expenses and opportunity costs.
Skip this school unless you have deep regional ties and specific career goals that align with Appalachian community needs. The combination of low graduation rates, weak earning potential, and geographic isolation creates too much financial risk for most students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alice Lloyd College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Alice Lloyd College graduates earn a median of $40,573 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $17,839 annually and relatively low debt levels, the financial risk is manageable, but the earning potential may not justify the cost for many career paths.
What is Alice Lloyd College's graduation rate and how does it affect ROI?
Alice Lloyd College has a 26% graduation rate, meaning nearly three-quarters of students don't finish their degree. Students who don't graduate still carry debt but miss out on the earning benefits of a completed degree, significantly worsening the investment outcome.
How much debt do Alice Lloyd College students typically have?
The median debt for Alice Lloyd College graduates is $19,599, which is relatively low compared to national averages. However, with post-graduation earnings around $40,000, graduates may still struggle with debt payments depending on their career field.
Which programs at Alice Lloyd College offer the best return on investment?
Alice Lloyd College is a small liberal arts school with limited program variety. Students should research specific career outcomes for their intended major, as the overall low graduation rate and modest earning potential suggest many programs may not provide strong ROI.