At $26,895/yr net price, Gustavus Adolphus College graduates earn $65,607/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $31,607/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,895 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $107,580 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,607/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$31,607/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,774 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,799/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,251/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,611/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,149/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,227/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $64,196 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $57,995 | $26,500 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $57,318 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $23,250 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $48,302 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $42,166 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,829 | $27,000 |
| Geography and Cartography. | Bachelor | $38,289 |
The Risk Factor
75.9% of students at Gustavus Adolphus College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 24% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Gustavus Adolphus College gives you a solid financial return with manageable risk. Median debt of about $26,800 lines up almost exactly with one year's net price, and your typical graduate earns enough at the ten-year mark to clear that debt without it hanging over you. The 75.9% graduation rate and 84% retention rate mean most people who start here finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether the price pays off.
Computer science and nursing are the strongest bets. Both clear $63,000, and nursing pairs that pay with clear job demand across Minnesota hospitals. Accounting and math land in the upper $50,000s and carry debt in line with the school average. Economics pays the least of the listed programs at about $52,000, but its graduates also carry the lowest debt of the group, around $23,250, so the math still works.
The main risk is a soft major outside these fields. Only quantitative and health programs are listed here, and a private-college sticker price is hard to justify on a degree that pays well under $50,000. If you enroll undecided and drift toward a low-earning field, your debt stays fixed while your payoff drops.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $14,000 to $15,800 a year, well below the listed average. That number climbs steadily with income, and above $110,000 you pay roughly $34,000 a year, close to full freight.
This school fits you if you're aiming at computing, nursing, accounting, or another quantitative field, especially if your family income keeps your net price in the lower tiers. If you're paying the top tier for a low-earning major, look harder at cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gustavus Adolphus College worth the money?
With a net price of $26,895 and graduates earning $65,607 after 10 years, Gustavus Adolphus College offers solid ROI for a private liberal arts school. The median debt of $26,774 is manageable given the earning potential, though outcomes vary significantly by major.
What are the best paying majors at Gustavus Adolphus College?
Computer Science leads at $64,196 starting salary, followed closely by Nursing at $63,005 and Accounting at $57,995. Economics graduates earn notably less at $52,107, showing major choice significantly impacts financial returns at Gustavus Adolphus.
How much debt do Gustavus Adolphus College students graduate with?
The median debt at Gustavus Adolphus College is $26,774, which is reasonable for a private college. With the 10-year median earnings of $65,607, most graduates should be able to manage their loan payments without major financial strain.
Does Gustavus Adolphus College have good job placement rates?
With a 75.9% graduation rate and 10-year median earnings of $65,607, Gustavus Adolphus College produces decent employment outcomes. The 73.9% acceptance rate means it's not highly selective, but graduates still find solid career paths, especially in STEM and healthcare fields.