At $30,152/yr net price, Goddard College graduates earn $25,552/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,152 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $120,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $25,552/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-8,448/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $27,429/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,596/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $44,942 | |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $41,193 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $39,741 | $30,999 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Master | $38,127 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other. | Master | $35,060 | $51,529 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $30,771 | $51,250 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor | $24,035 |
The Risk Factor
75.0% of students at Goddard College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Goddard College's financial picture is weak. You pay about $30,000 a year in net price, but median earnings ten years out land at just $25,552 , below what many high school graduates earn and roughly the same as the school's own writing bachelor's program produces. That gap between cost and payoff is the core problem here, and it doesn't close for most graduates.
Your major decides everything at Goddard. The Education bachelor's is the one program that pays: at $41,193, it clears the school-wide median by more than $15,000 and gives you a plausible path to covering your costs. Vermont and the broader New England region hire teachers, so that degree connects to real jobs. The Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelor's is the opposite. At $24,035, it earns less than the school median and leaves you paying private-college prices for a return that won't support loan payments comfortably.
The specific risk here is that the sticker cost stays high while the earnings floor stays low. Median debt of $18,750 is modest, and the 100% retention and 75% graduation rates mean you're likely to finish. But finishing a low-earning program still leaves you underwater. The strong completion numbers don't protect you from the weak salary numbers.
Goddard makes financial sense for you if you're headed into education and can use the teaching degree directly. For any other path, especially writing, the math works against you unless outside grants cut your price sharply.
On price by income: the net price climbs as family income rises, from about $27,400 under $30k to $35,600 above $110k. Even the lowest tier pays close to full freight, so lower-income families see limited discounting here and should weigh that against the earnings data before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goddard College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Goddard College graduates earn a median of $25,552 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $30,152 per year, the financial return on investment is poor compared to most four-year institutions.
What are the highest paying majors at Goddard College?
Psychology graduates from Goddard College earn the highest median salary at $44,942, followed by Education majors at around $40,000. Liberal arts and visual arts programs show lower earnings potential, with graduates earning in the mid-to-upper $30,000 range.
How much student debt do Goddard College graduates typically have?
Goddard College graduates have a median debt of $18,750, which is relatively modest compared to many private colleges. However, given the low post-graduation earnings of $25,552, even this debt level may create financial strain for many graduates.
Does Goddard College have good graduation rates and job outcomes?
Goddard College has a 75% graduation rate, which is decent for a small private college. The main concern is post-graduation earnings, as most programs lead to relatively low-paying careers that may not justify the tuition costs.