At $21,385/yr net price, Hamline University graduates earn $61,106/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,106/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,385 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,540 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,106/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,106/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,770 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,011/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,893/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,628/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,313/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,061/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration. | Master | $66,653 | $33,398 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,238 | $37,725 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $62,012 | $17,924 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $59,756 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $57,860 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $55,964 | $17,849 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $50,320 | $35,449 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $49,058 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $44,970 | $24,625 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $44,942 |
The Risk Factor
57.7% of students at Hamline University 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
Hamline University gives you a middle-of-the-road financial return. Ten years out, median earnings land above $61,000, which clears the $23,770 you'd owe in median debt. That's a manageable ratio, but the sticker doesn't hide much upside either.
Accounting is the clear winner here. It pays close to $58,000 out of the gate, roughly $13,000 more than business administration, which sits at the bottom of the listed majors while carrying the heaviest debt load ($24,625). Economics and chemistry fall in the middle. If you're paying Hamline prices, accounting is the major that most reliably justifies the cost. Finance and business management do not, at least on early-career pay.
The gap between program earnings and that $61,106 median tells you something: the strongest financial outcomes at Hamline likely come from fields not on this list. The five programs shown all pay below the school-wide median a decade later, so the business and science majors here start slower than the overall number suggests.
Two risks stand out. Retention sits under 74%, and the graduation rate is 57.7%. More than four in ten students don't finish in the standard window, and paying for years without a degree is the worst-case outcome at any private school.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay less than families in every higher bracket, bottoming out near $15,900 for the $30-48k range. Above $110,000, you pay over $27,000 a year. Hamline is a reasonable fit if you're aiming at accounting or coming from a lower-income household. If you're a full-pay family targeting finance or general business, the early-career pay makes the math harder to defend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamline University worth the cost?
Hamline's graduates earn $61,106 ten years after starting, which is reasonable for the $21,385 annual net price. However, the 57% graduation rate means many students don't finish, making it risky for students who aren't strong academically.
What are the best paying majors at Hamline University?
Public Administration leads at $66,653 annually, followed by Business Administration at $65,238. Law graduates earn $59,756, which is low compared to other law programs nationwide.
How much debt do Hamline University graduates have?
The median debt is $23,770, which is manageable given typical graduate earnings around $61,000. Students who don't graduate face the biggest financial risk since they carry debt without the degree.
Does Hamline University have good financial aid?
The net price of $21,385 suggests decent financial aid since the sticker price is higher. With an 80% acceptance rate, most students can get in, but aid quality varies significantly by family income.