At $21,826/yr net price, Hanover College graduates earn $53,957/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,957/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,826 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,304 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,957/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,957/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,238/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,137/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,624/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,666/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,545/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $48,823 | $26,898 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $39,729 | |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor | $39,369 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $38,313 | |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $37,424 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,810 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $30,988 | $26,954 |
| History. | Bachelor | $30,771 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
63.6% of students at Hanover College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Hanover College gives you a solid but unspectacular financial return. You pay about $21,826 a year net, leave with a manageable $25,250 in median debt, and hit $53,957 in median earnings a decade out. That debt-to-earnings ratio works: your typical loan balance is under half your annual pay, which keeps monthly payments reasonable. The 63.6% graduation rate is the weak spot, since the price only pays off if you finish, and roughly a third of students don't within the standard window.
The program data complicates the rosy overall number. Economics leads at $48,823, but that still trails the school-wide median, and economics graduates carry the heaviest debt on the list at $26,898. Sociology, geosciences, political science, and chemistry all land in the high $30,000s. These are liberal-arts majors with modest early earnings, so the strong median earnings figure is likely propped up by fields not broken out here. If you enroll planning to major in one of the five listed programs, expect first-decade pay well below what the top-line number suggests.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $48k in family income, you pay around $16,000 a year. above $110k, you pay $26,545. The jump between the $48-75k and $75-110k brackets is the steepest, roughly $4,000, so middle-income families feel the squeeze without qualifying for the deepest discounts.
This school fits you if you're coming from a lower-income household, you're confident you'll graduate on time, and you're headed toward a career where a Hanover degree opens doors beyond the listed majors' starting salaries. Look elsewhere if you're paying the top tier and planning to major in sociology or geosciences, where the numbers don't justify $26,000 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hanover College worth the cost?
Hanover College graduates earn a median of $53,957 ten years after graduation, which is modest given the $21,826 annual net price. With a 64% graduation rate and $25,250 in median debt, the return on investment is below average for private liberal arts colleges.
What are the best paying majors at Hanover College?
Economics leads with $48,823 in median earnings, followed by Sociology at $39,729. Most other programs, including Chemistry and Political Science, produce earnings in the high $30,000s, which may not justify the total cost of attendance.
How much debt do Hanover College students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Hanover College graduates is $25,250, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with starting salaries often below $40,000 in most majors, loan payments could still strain budgets.
Does Hanover College provide good financial aid?
The net price of $21,826 suggests decent financial aid, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. Still, this represents a significant investment for a school with a 74% acceptance rate and modest post-graduation earnings.