At $23,613/yr net price, Belmont Abbey College graduates earn $47,937/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,937/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,613 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,452 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,937/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,937/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,985/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,339/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,173/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,325/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,375/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,790 | $26,125 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $43,519 | $25,982 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,416 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $31,670 | $28,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $21,500 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $26,739 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $26,585 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| History. | Bachelor | $24,730 |
The Risk Factor
46.4% of students at Belmont Abbey 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
Belmont Abbey College leaves you with a mixed-to-weak financial return. You pay roughly $23,600 a year net, and ten years out the median graduate earns just under $48,000. That gap between cost and payoff is narrow, and the 46% graduation rate means fewer than half of you finish the degree you took on debt to get.
Business Administration is the clear winner here, and it pays close to the school-wide median on its own. Accounting lands a few thousand behind it. Everything else drops off fast. Teacher Education graduates earn about $35,000 while carrying $27,000 in debt, the highest debt load on the list. Liberal Arts and Health/Physical Education both land in the low $30,000s, and Liberal Arts comes with the heaviest debt at $28,500 against the weakest earnings. If you enroll for one of those three majors, you are borrowing more to earn less.
The main risk is completion. With a 69% retention rate, close to a third of you leave after year one, and leaving with debt but no degree is the worst outcome this school can hand you. Pick Business or Accounting and finish, and the numbers work. Pick a teaching or humanities track and the return gets thin.
Net price barely moves with income. Families under $30,000 pay about $17,985, and families over $110,000 pay $25,375. That $7,400 spread is small, so lower-income families still carry a real bill and should weigh grant and loan offers closely before committing.
This school fits you if you want a business or accounting degree and expect to graduate. Look elsewhere if you plan to major in education, liberal arts, or physical education, or if paying near full price with an uncertain chance of finishing puts your finances at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belmont Abbey College worth the cost?
With median earnings of $47,937 ten years after graduation and a net price of $23,613 annually, Belmont Abbey College offers modest returns. The school's 46% graduation rate and $26,000 median debt create significant risk for students who don't complete their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Belmont Abbey College?
Business Administration graduates earn the highest median salary at $46,790, followed by Accounting at $43,519. Education and Liberal Arts majors earn significantly less, with some programs averaging under $32,000 annually.
How much debt do Belmont Abbey College graduates have?
The median debt for Belmont Abbey College graduates is $26,000. Given that many programs lead to starting salaries in the $30,000-$40,000 range, this debt load may strain graduates' budgets for several years.
Should I attend Belmont Abbey College if I'm not sure about my major?
With a 46% graduation rate and wide salary gaps between programs, Belmont Abbey College is risky for undecided students. The school's high acceptance rate means less selective admissions, but completing your degree here requires strong self-motivation.