At $22,858/yr net price, Bennett College graduates earn $36,654/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,654/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,858 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,432 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,654/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,654/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 34.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $28,130 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,663/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $26,755/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,156/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,400/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $36,488 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $31,133 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $30,771 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $25,967 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $21,964 |
The Risk Factor
20.6% of students at Bennett 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
Bennett College is a hard financial bet. You'll pay close to $23,000 a year, borrow around $28,000 by graduation, and earn a median of $36,654 ten years out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is tight, and it gets worse because only about one in five students graduates. If you leave without a degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump that made it worth taking on.
The retention number tells a different story. Ninety percent of freshmen return for a second year, so the school holds onto you early. The gap between that and the 20.6% graduation rate is where the real risk sits: something happens after year one that stops most students from finishing. Before you enroll, ask exactly why.
Among the programs listed, social work is the top earner at $36,488, and it's the one field where the pay roughly matches Bennett's overall median. Business and communication land lower, in the low $30,000s. Biology graduates earn under $26,000, which is weak for a science degree that usually pays off only if you continue to graduate or professional school. Interdisciplinary studies pays the least at under $22,000. None of these clear a level that makes the debt comfortable.
The net price tiers are backwards from what you'd expect. If your family earns under $30,000, you'll pay about $21,663 , less than the $26,755 charged to families in the $30,000-$48,000 band. Middle-income families here pay the most, not the least, so run your own numbers before assuming aid scales with need.
Bennett makes financial sense if you're committed to social work and confident you'll finish. If you're undecided, or drawn to biology hoping the salary follows, the completion odds and low earnings make this a costly choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bennett College worth the cost for the career outcomes?
Bennett College graduates earn a median of $36,654 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $22,858 per year and typical debt of $28,130, the financial return is modest compared to the investment.
What are the best paying programs at Bennett College?
Social Work offers the highest earnings at Bennett College with graduates making $36,488 annually. Business Administration follows at $31,133, while Biology graduates earn significantly less at $25,967 despite the program's pre-professional focus.
How risky is student debt at Bennett College?
With a 20.6% graduation rate, many Bennett College students take on debt without completing their degree. The median debt of $28,130 is manageable for graduates, but the low completion rate creates significant financial risk for students who don't finish.
Does Bennett College provide good financial aid value?
Bennett College's net price of $22,858 represents substantial aid from its higher sticker price. However, the combination of low graduation rates and modest post-graduation earnings means students should carefully consider whether the investment will pay off.