At $25,810/yr net price, Hampshire College graduates earn $46,938/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,938/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,810 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,240 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,938/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,938/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,893 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,636/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,008/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,586/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,760/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,849/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $19,829 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
57.2% of students at Hampshire 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
Hampshire College gives you a mixed financial picture that leans risky. You pay $25,810 a year net, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $46,938. That's a slow payback on roughly $100,000 in four-year net cost, and the median debt of $26,893 sits close to what you'd expect to earn in a single year at the median.
The program data here should give you pause. The one bachelor-level program with reported earnings, Liberal Arts and Sciences and General Studies, shows graduates earning $19,829 a year with $26,000 in debt. You'd owe more than you make. Hampshire is built around self-designed, interdisciplinary study without traditional majors, so you won't find the pre-professional tracks that produce reliable early salaries. If you want a clear line from degree to paycheck, this is not where you'll find it.
The specific risk is the 57.2% graduation rate paired with 75% retention. One in four of you leaves after the first year, and more than four in ten never finish. If you take on debt and don't graduate, you carry the loans without the degree, which is the worst outcome the numbers point to. Amherst sits in a college-dense area with strong nonprofit and academic employers, but those are not high-salary fields.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $15,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay $35,849, close to sticker. The middle brackets jump sharply once you pass $48,000.
Hampshire fits you if your family is low-income and you're committed to finishing, since the discount is real and the debt manageable. If you're paying near full price or you need your degree to produce income quickly, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hampshire College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Hampshire College graduates earn $46,938 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for four-year colleges. With a net price of $25,810 annually and median debt of $26,893, the return on investment is weak compared to most colleges.
What programs at Hampshire College have the best job prospects?
Hampshire College's top programs are Liberal Arts and Sciences and General Studies, which typically lead to lower starting salaries around $19,829. The school's self-designed curriculum approach makes it difficult to identify specific high-earning majors.
How much debt do Hampshire College students typically graduate with?
Hampshire College graduates carry a median debt of $26,893. With post-graduation earnings of $46,938, this debt level is manageable but the low graduation rate of 57% means many students leave with debt but no degree.
Does Hampshire College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Hampshire College's net price of $25,810 reflects financial aid, but this is still high relative to graduate earning potential. The school's unique structure appeals to some students, but the financial return doesn't justify the cost for most.