At $15,725/yr net price, Goshen College graduates earn $51,943/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,943/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,725 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $62,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,943/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,943/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,974 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,059/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,394/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,681/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,823/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,195/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $101,406 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $54,996 | $19,791 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $28,236 | |
| Music. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
60.5% of students at Goshen College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Goshen College gives you a moderate financial return with a heavy dependence on which major you pick. At $15,725 a year in net price, median debt lands under $23,000 and median earnings ten years out sit near $52,000. That combination is workable, but the spread between programs here is severe enough that your major matters more than the school's averages.
Nursing is the clear payoff. It earns close to $55,000 with the lowest debt of any program listed, under $20,000, and it feeds directly into Indiana's steady hospital and elder-care demand. If you come to Goshen for nursing, the numbers work in your favor.
Social work and music are a different story. Social work graduates report earnings around $28,000, and music sits near $25,000. Both pay roughly half what nursing does while you carry similar debt. If you enroll in either, you should expect years of tight budgets, and you should think hard about whether the degree justifies the borrowing.
The main risk is finishing. With a 60.5% graduation rate and 78% retention, a meaningful share of students leave, and leaving with debt but no degree is the worst outcome here. Money you borrow only pays off if you cross the finish line.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $11,000 a year. above $110,000, you pay closer to $19,000. That $8,000 gap makes Goshen a stronger deal the less your family earns.
Goshen fits you if you want nursing, or if you qualify for the lower price tiers and plan to graduate on time. Look elsewhere if you're set on social work or music and would need heavy loans to cover the roughly $16,000 average yearly cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goshen College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Goshen College graduates earn $51,943 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates nationally. With a net price of $15,725 annually and typical debt of $22,974, the return on investment is modest unless you pursue nursing.
What are the best paying majors at Goshen College?
Nursing programs at Goshen College lead to strong earnings, with some graduates earning over $100,000 annually. Other majors like social work ($28,236) and music ($25,194) show significantly lower earning potential.
How much debt do Goshen College students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Goshen College graduates is $22,974, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, this debt load may be challenging for graduates in lower-paying fields outside of nursing.
Does Goshen College have good graduation rates and job outcomes?
Goshen College has a 60.5% graduation rate, which is below the national average for four-year colleges. The school's high acceptance rate of 93.5% suggests less selective admissions, which can correlate with varied student outcomes.