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 gives you a mixed financial return that leans weak. You pay roughly $24,500 a year net and earn around $50,800 a decade after enrolling. That median beats the three programs listed here, which tells you the school's stronger-paying paths sit outside this data, and the majors shown do not carry the outcome on their own.
Look closely at those three programs and the picture gets uncomfortable. Business Administration graduates report earnings below $40,000 while carrying $27,000 in debt, so that degree costs more to finance than it pays early on. Biology comes in lower still, near $24,400. Fine and Studio Arts sits under $16,000, which does not cover the cost of attendance you took on to get it. If you enroll planning to major in studio arts or biology at Earlham, expect years of thin paychecks against your loan bill.
The median debt of about $23,500 is manageable if your job clears the school-wide median. It is not manageable if you land in one of the low-earning fields above. That gap is the specific risk here: your outcome depends heavily on which door you walk through.
The net price tiers are steep across the board. Even under $30,000 of family income, you pay over $18,000 a year, and above $110,000 you approach $29,000. There is no low-cost tier, so borrowing is likely at every income level.
Earlham fits you if you want a private liberal-arts setting and either have family resources or a clear path into a field paying above the school median. Look elsewhere if you are debt-sensitive and drawn to the arts or biology tracks shown here, since those numbers do not justify the price you would pay.
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.