At $29,383/yr net price, Kenyon College graduates earn $71,830/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $37,830/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,383 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $117,532 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,830/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$37,830/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 86.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,527 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,865/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,666/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,777/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,995/yr |
| $110,001+ | $45,073/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $18,718 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| International/Global Studies. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $28,055 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $26,739 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $25,967 | $15,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $19,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $23,456 | $19,000 |
The Risk Factor
86.8% of students at Kenyon College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Kenyon graduates earn a solid median a decade out, and you leave with debt low enough that repayment shouldn't dominate your finances. That combination is the school's real financial strength: an 86.8% graduation rate and 91% retention mean you're very likely to actually finish and start earning, which is where most of the ROI risk at other schools hides.
The catch is that the median hides a wide spread by major. Economics is the clear payoff, with early-career earnings roughly double what film, biology, or Romance languages graduates report. If you come to Kenyon for economics, the numbers work. If you come for biology or a language and stop at the bachelor's, your first-year earnings sit below Kenyon's own net price, and it can take years to climb. Those are humanities and lab-science tracks where a Kenyon degree is often a step toward graduate school, not a job that pays for itself right away. Plan for that.
The specific financial risk here is choosing a low-earning major without a graduate-school plan to back it. A gap year or two of sub-$30k earnings is manageable on Kenyon-level debt, but only if you have a next step.
Net price tells you who this fits. If your family earns under $48k, you pay roughly a quarter of the sticker price, and Kenyon becomes genuinely affordable. Between $48k and $110k, your cost jumps sharply, and above $110k you're paying close to full freight at $45k a year. At that top tier, Kenyon only pays off if you pick a major that earns, or you treat the degree as pre-graduate-school and can absorb the cost. Rural Gambier also means fewer local internships, so factor in that job hunting happens off-campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenyon College worth the cost for the salary you'll earn?
Kenyon graduates earn a median $71,830 ten years after graduation, which is decent but not exceptional given the school's selectivity and cost. Economics majors do well at $50,856, but many other programs like biology and language studies show lower returns that may not justify the investment.
How much debt do Kenyon College students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Kenyon graduates is $18,527, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, this figure only includes students who took loans, so many families are paying the full cost upfront or receiving substantial financial aid.
Which majors at Kenyon College have the best return on investment?
Economics is the clear winner at Kenyon with graduates earning $50,856 after ten years. Film and media arts follows at $35,060, but most other popular programs like biology and international studies show significantly lower earnings that may not offset the cost of attendance.
Does Kenyon College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
With a net price of $29,383 after aid, Kenyon does provide substantial financial assistance since the full cost is much higher. The 87% graduation rate suggests most students can complete their degrees, but families should carefully evaluate whether the career outcomes justify the expense.