At $24,516/yr net price, Earlham College graduates earn $50,797/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,797/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,516 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,064 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,797/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,797/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,488 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,306/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,515/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,527/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,618/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,101/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $24,421 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $15,922 |
The Risk Factor
67.9% of students at Earlham College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Earlham College delivers weak financial returns that place graduates at a significant earnings disadvantage. With median earnings of $50,797 ten years out, you earn roughly $10,000 less annually than typical college graduates nationwide.
The business program produces the strongest outcomes at $38,289, though even this figure falls short of what you could earn from business degrees at most other colleges. Biology graduates face particularly poor prospects at $24,421, making medical school admission nearly essential to justify the investment. Fine arts majors earn just $15,922, creating severe financial stress given the debt load.
You face substantial completion risk with only 68% of students graduating and a concerning 80% retention rate. One in five students leave after freshman year, often carrying debt with no degree to show for it. The $23,488 median debt burden becomes problematic when paired with below-average earnings.
Earlham works financially only if your family qualifies for significant need-based aid or you plan graduate school in a high-paying field. The Quaker tradition and small class sizes appeal to many families, but you pay a steep premium for these benefits through reduced lifetime earnings.
Students targeting business careers should consider state schools with stronger corporate recruiting. Pre-med students need stellar grades to overcome the earnings handicap if medical school plans change. Only 25% of students receive aid, suggesting limited merit scholarship opportunities for middle-class families.
Skip Earlham if maximizing financial returns matters to your family. The combination of high costs, low completion rates, and weak graduate earnings creates a poor investment scenario for most students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earlham College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Earlham's graduates earn $50,797 after 10 years, which is below average for a private college costing $24,516 annually. The return on investment is modest, especially considering the 67% graduation rate means one in three students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at Earlham College?
Business Administration graduates from Earlham earn around $38,289 annually, making it the strongest program financially. Biology majors earn significantly less at $24,421, while Fine Arts graduates average just $15,922.
How much debt do Earlham College students typically graduate with?
Earlham graduates carry a median debt of $23,488, which is manageable given typical starting salaries. However, students who don't graduate still face debt without the degree to help pay it off.
Does Earlham College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
With a net price of $24,516 after aid, Earlham offers substantial financial assistance since the sticker price is much higher. The school's 73% acceptance rate suggests they're motivated to attract students with competitive aid packages.