At $22,018/yr net price, Erskine College graduates earn $53,459/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,459/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,018 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,072 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,459/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,459/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.6% |
| 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 | $21,857/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,145/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,343/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,856/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,471/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $41,565 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $32,382 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
48.6% of students at Erskine 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
Erskine College gives you a mixed-to-weak financial picture. The median graduate earns $53,459 ten years out, which clears the cost, but you carry $27,000 in median debt to get there, and fewer than half of you finish. That combination is the core risk here.
The retention number tells the real story. Only about six in ten of you come back for a second year, and under half graduate. If you leave with debt and no degree, the earnings figures never apply to you. That is the single biggest financial danger at Erskine, and it hits before you ever reach the job market.
The listed bachelor programs are a warning. Health and Physical Education, Biology, and Business Administration all show early earnings in the low $30,000s, with Biology and Business carrying that full $27,000 debt load. Those are the fields you would expect to anchor the payoff, and their early salaries barely stay ahead of the debt. Due West is a small rural town, so regional job options nearby are thin, and you will likely need to relocate for stronger-paying work.
The net price tiers reward middle-income families over the poorest. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay more than a family in the $30,000-$48,000 band, which is backwards. Families over $75,000 pay the most, close to the full sticker.
Erskine fits you if you are confident you will finish, want a small private setting, and can hold debt near the median while landing a job outside Due West. Look elsewhere if you need certainty that you will graduate, if the low-$30,000s starting pay in these majors worries you, or if your family income sits under $30,000 and that pricing quirk makes a public in-state option cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erskine College worth the money?
Erskine College graduates earn $53,459 ten years after graduation, which is modest for the $22,018 annual net cost. The 48.6% graduation rate means half of students don't finish their degree, making it a risky investment for many.
What are the best paying majors at Erskine College?
Theological and Ministerial Studies leads at $41,565 average earnings, followed by Health and Physical Education at $32,382. Biology and Business majors both average $29,685, which is below the national average for college graduates.
How much debt do Erskine College students graduate with?
Erskine College graduates have a median debt of $27,000. With starting salaries around $53,459, this debt load is manageable but requires careful budgeting in early career years.
Does Erskine College have good job prospects after graduation?
Erskine College's 10-year graduate earnings of $53,459 fall below many comparable schools. The low 48.6% graduation rate suggests academic support challenges that could impact career readiness.