At $21,458/yr net price, Hesston College graduates earn $47,495/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,495/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,458 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,832 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,495/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,495/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,600/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,377/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,620/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,575/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,666/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $48,342 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $13,239 | $12,000 |
The Risk Factor
57.4% of students at Hesston 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
Hesston College gives you a mixed but manageable financial picture, and the debt numbers are the reason. Median debt sits at $12,000, one of the lowest figures you will find at a private four-year school. Pair that with median earnings of $47,495 ten years out, and the math works out better than the $21,458 sticker net price suggests. You are not walking away buried, which matters more than the headline cost.
The 83% retention rate and 57% graduation rate tell you most people who start here come back for a second year, but roughly four in ten do not finish. That gap is the single biggest risk to your return. If you borrow toward a degree you do not complete, the low debt figure stops protecting you, because you get the loan payments without the earnings bump that comes from graduating.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any specific major claim with caution and ask the school for placement data before you commit to a field.
The net price tiers are where Hesston earns its keep for lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $12,400 a year, well below the $21,458 average. Above $48,000, the price roughly doubles to the low-to-mid $20,000s, and families over $110,000 pay the most at $24,666. If you sit in that upper-middle band, you carry close to full freight, so weigh a cheaper in-state public option carefully.
Hesston fits you best if you qualify for the lower-income pricing and you are confident you will finish. If you are paying the higher tiers or unsure about completing, the return gets thin fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hesston College worth the cost?
Hesston College's value depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn $48,342 annually, making the $21,458 yearly cost reasonable, but liberal arts graduates average just $13,239, creating a poor return on investment.
What is the return on investment for Hesston College?
The overall ROI is below average, with graduates earning $47,495 ten years after enrollment. Only nursing programs show strong earnings potential, while other majors struggle to justify the tuition costs.
How much debt do Hesston College graduates have?
The median debt is $12,000, which is relatively low compared to many colleges. However, with a 57% graduation rate, nearly half of students leave without completing their degree.
Which programs at Hesston College have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs offer the strongest career outcomes at Hesston College, with graduates earning $48,342 annually. Liberal arts and general studies programs show poor earning potential at $13,239, well below the poverty line for many areas.