At $21,900/yr net price, Allegheny College graduates earn $62,069/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,069/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,900 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,069/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,069/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 66.5% |
| 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 | $12,227/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,616/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,476/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,833/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,466/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $43,314 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $41,087 | $26,750 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $37,363 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $32,569 | $27,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $27,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $29,956 | $27,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $28,816 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
66.5% of students at Allegheny College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 34% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Allegheny College gives you a solid but not spectacular financial return. The median graduate earns about $62,000 ten years out against a median debt of $27,000, which is a manageable ratio. The 66.5% graduation rate and 84% retention rate matter here: if you finish, the math works, but a third of students don't graduate, and dropping out with debt and no degree is the real risk at this school.
The program-level early-career numbers tell a different story than the median suggests. Mathematics and Economics lead at roughly $43,000 and $41,000 in early earnings, while English and Fine and Studio Arts sit near $33,000. That gap of $10,000 between a math degree and an art degree matters when you're carrying $27,000 in debt across nearly every major. The liberal-arts programs here start slow, so if you major in English or the arts, expect a longer runway before your earnings catch up to that median.
Meadville is a small town in northwest Pennsylvania without a large regional job market, so plan on relocating for work, especially in economics and math where the higher-paying jobs cluster in cities.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $12,200 a year. over $110,000, you pay $28,500. That's a $16,000 annual swing, so this school is a strong deal if you qualify for need-based aid and a much heavier lift at full price.
Allegheny fits you if you're targeting economics or math and can commit to finishing in four years. If you're paying near full price for a lower-earning major and unsure about graduating, look harder at the numbers first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allegheny College worth the money?
Allegheny College graduates earn a median of $62,069 ten years after graduation, which is reasonable given the $27,000 median debt load. The $21,900 annual net price makes it more affordable than many private colleges, though the 66.5% graduation rate means one-third of students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at Allegheny College?
Mathematics and Economics majors at Allegheny College see the strongest returns, earning over $40,000 annually. Liberal arts majors like English and Fine Arts earn significantly less at around $33,000, making the debt harder to justify for these programs.
How much debt do Allegheny College students graduate with?
Allegheny College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. With typical starting salaries, most graduates can handle these payments without major financial strain.
Does Allegheny College provide good financial aid?
Allegheny College's $21,900 net price represents substantial aid from its $54,000 sticker price. The college meets about 60% of demonstrated need, making it accessible for middle-income families but still requiring significant family contribution.