At $21,200/yr net price, Guilford College graduates earn $47,590/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,590/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,200 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,590/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,590/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,785/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,870/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,205/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,620/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,245/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $49,214 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,790 | $23,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $45,305 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $37,748 | |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $35,416 | |
| History. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $30,926 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,870 | $27,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $28,236 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
47.7% of students at Guilford 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
Guilford College gives you a mixed-to-weak financial return. Ten years out, median earnings sit below $48,000, and with median debt at $26,000, you carry a private-college price tag toward outcomes that look closer to a public-school payoff. The 47.7% graduation rate is the bigger problem: fewer than half of you finish, and a 66% retention rate means a third of you leave after the first year. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome here, and the numbers say it happens to a lot of you.
Your major decides everything. Computer and Information Sciences pays best at roughly $49,000, with Accounting close behind at $46,790 on lower debt ($23,500). Business lands around $45,000 but carries the full $26,000 debt load, so the return is thinner. Teacher Education and Biological Sciences are the weak spots: both land in the $35,000-$38,000 range, which makes $26,000 in debt hard to justify. If you plan to teach or go into biology through Guilford, know that the pay won't clear the cost quickly, and biology usually means more schooling before it pays anything.
The net price tiers are the sharpest warning. Aid barely tracks income here. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $20,785, while families earning $30,000-$48,000 pay nearly $25,000. The $75,000-$110,000 tier pays the most at $30,620. Middle-income families get squeezed the hardest, and low-income families don't get the steep discount you'd expect.
Guilford fits you if you commit to computing, accounting, or business and are confident you'll graduate. Look elsewhere if you're aiming at teaching or biology, if you're unsure about finishing, or if your family sits in the $30,000-$110,000 range where the price climbs without a clear return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guilford College worth the debt?
With median debt of $26,000 and 10-year earnings of $47,590, Guilford graduates earn enough to manage their loans but don't see strong financial returns. The 47% graduation rate means many students take on debt without finishing their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Guilford College?
Computer science graduates earn around $49,200 annually, making it the highest-paying program at Guilford. Accounting and business management also show decent returns at $46,800 and $45,300 respectively, while education and biology majors earn significantly less.
Does Guilford College have good financial aid?
The net price of $21,200 per year is reasonable for a private college, suggesting decent financial aid for most students. However, nearly half of students don't graduate, which limits the value of any aid received.
Is Guilford College a good investment compared to other schools?
Guilford's ROI is below average due to modest graduate earnings and a low graduation rate. Students might find better value at North Carolina public universities or community colleges with transfer options.