At $22,100/yr net price, Hilbert College graduates earn $48,309/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,309/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,100 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,309/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,309/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,835/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,593/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,756/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,610/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,655/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration. | Master | $43,426 | |
| Human Services, General. | Bachelor | $37,568 | $19,500 |
| Legal Support Services. | Bachelor | $33,459 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $24,420 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $31,907 | $27,000 |
| Security Science and Technology. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,019 | |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Bachelor | $22,087 |
The Risk Factor
47.0% of students at Hilbert 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
Hilbert College's financial return is weak. You pay $22,100 a year net, walk out with a median $24,750 in debt, and land at median earnings of about $48,000 ten years later. The bigger problem is that fewer than half of you graduate, and only 63% of you even return for a second year. If you borrow and leave without the degree, you carry the debt without the earnings bump that justifies it.
The program-level numbers are worse than the school-wide figure suggests. Every listed bachelor's program reports early-career earnings under $38,000. Human Services tops the list at $37,568, and it does so with the lowest debt load ($19,500), so it's the best cost-to-pay ratio here. Criminal Justice and Security Science both pay under $32,000 while loading you with $27,000 in debt, the worst combination on this page. Business Administration sits in the middle at $32,925 against $24,420 in debt.
The specific risk at Hilbert is the gap between what you borrow and what these programs pay early on. A $27,000 debt against a $30,000 salary in criminal justice is a tight budget for years. The Western New York job market these programs feed, human services, corrections, legal support, pays modestly, and the salary data reflects that.
The net price tiers show almost no break by income. If your family earns over $30,000, you pay roughly $23,600 regardless of whether you make $40,000 or $200,000. Only the under-$30k tier drops meaningfully, to $18,835. Middle-income families get no discount here.
Hilbert fits you if you're aiming at human services with the smallest loan possible and you're confident you'll finish. If you're weighing criminal justice or security science on borrowed money, the payoff doesn't support the cost, and a cheaper public option deserves a hard look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hilbert College worth the cost?
With median earnings of $48,309 ten years after graduation and a net price of $22,100 annually, Hilbert College offers reasonable value for some programs but requires careful program selection. The 47% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the best paying programs at Hilbert College?
Public Administration graduates earn the highest median salary at $43,426, while Criminal Justice majors earn $31,907. Most other programs at Hilbert College produce earnings below $40,000, which may not justify the total cost of attendance.
How much debt do Hilbert College graduates have?
Hilbert College graduates have a median debt of $24,750, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with many programs producing starting salaries in the low $30,000s, debt payments could strain budgets for some majors.
Does Hilbert College have good job placement rates?
Hilbert College's 47% graduation rate suggests significant completion challenges that affect overall career outcomes. While the school offers career-focused programs, nearly half of students don't graduate, which limits their job prospects regardless of program quality.