At $30,086/yr net price, Gettysburg College graduates earn $71,517/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $37,517/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,086 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $120,344 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,517/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$37,517/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 82.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,999 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,666/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,191/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,407/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,423/yr |
| $110,001+ | $42,579/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $26,812 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,595 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $26,749 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $36,560 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $34,348 | $26,242 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $32,391 | $25,257 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $31,305 | $24,889 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | Bachelor | $31,305 | $27,000 |
| History. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $27,000 |
| Philosophy. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
82.7% of students at Gettysburg College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Gettysburg College gives you a solid but uneven financial return. The $71,517 median earnings ten years out sits well above what you owe, and the 82.7% graduation rate paired with a 90% retention rate means you're likely to finish and start paying that debt down instead of carrying it with no degree to show for it. That combination is the real strength here.
The program data complicates the picture. Economics is the clear winner, with early-career pay far ahead of the other listed majors while carrying nearly identical debt. Business Administration follows. Below those, the returns thin out fast: English graduates start around $34,000 with roughly the same $26,000 to $27,000 in debt as everyone else. You take on the same loan whether you major in Economics or English, but you start out earning $20,000 less. If you're drawn to the humanities and social sciences here, understand that the debt is fixed while the payoff is not.
The main risk is that flat debt load against a wide earnings spread. Gettysburg is a small liberal arts college in south-central Pennsylvania, away from a major metro job market, so your first job likely means relocating. A Psychology or Political Science degree here can leave you stretched on payments early on.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay around $15,000 a year. That climbs steeply above $75,000, and if your family earns over $110,000 you pay $42,579 a year, more than double the lowest tier.
This school fits you if you qualify for the lower price tiers or plan to major in Economics or Business. If you're a full-pay family aiming at a lower-earning major, the math gets hard to justify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gettysburg College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Gettysburg College graduates earn $71,517 ten years after graduation, which is decent but not outstanding for a school with a $30,086 annual net price. The median debt of $27,000 is manageable, but you'll find better ROI at many state schools or other private colleges with stronger earning outcomes.
What are the best paying majors at Gettysburg College?
Economics majors at Gettysburg College earn the most at $55,964, followed by business majors at $47,595. Liberal arts majors like English ($34,348) and psychology ($36,560) earn significantly less, making the debt harder to justify for those programs.
How much student debt do Gettysburg College graduates typically have?
The median debt for Gettysburg College graduates is $26,999, which is reasonable compared to many private schools. However, with starting salaries around $71,517, graduates will still spend several years paying off loans even with this moderate debt load.
Does Gettysburg College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Gettysburg College's net price of $30,086 suggests decent financial aid since the sticker price is much higher. Still, this annual cost adds up to over $120,000 for four years, which many families will struggle to afford without significant borrowing.