At $15,662/yr net price, Livingstone College graduates earn $32,600/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,662 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $62,648 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,600/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,400/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $31,125 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,621/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,018/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,327/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,544/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,006/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $32,711 | $33,625 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $34,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $31,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $24,035 | $27,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $20,687 |
The Risk Factor
27.1% of students at Livingstone College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Livingstone College's financial return is weak. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings sit at $32,600, barely above what many high school graduates earn and below a living wage for much of North Carolina. Against a median debt above $31,000, that gap makes repayment slow and painful.
Program choice barely rescues the picture. Criminal Justice is the only major here that clears $32,000, and it saddles you with the highest debt on the list. Biology and Business Administration both land around $25,000, which is low for degrees that usually pay more elsewhere. Social Work is the weakest bet at roughly $20,700 in earnings. No program at this school produces earnings that comfortably outpace its debt.
The biggest risk is the 27% graduation rate. Most people who enroll here leave without a degree, and if you borrow and then drop out, you carry the debt with none of the earnings. Retention holds at 78% into the second year, so the losses come later. Before you commit, be honest about whether you'll finish.
The net price tiers hold a trap for the lowest earners. If your family makes under $30,000, you pay about $16,600, more than the $11,000 charged to families earning $30,000 to $48,000. That inversion means the poorest families pay near the top of the range. Only the middle-income band gets a real discount.
This school fits you if you have strong outside support, a clear plan to graduate, and can keep borrowing low. If you'd need to finance most of the cost with loans, or if you're chasing high early earnings, the numbers here don't work and you should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Livingstone College worth the cost?
With graduates earning $32,600 after 10 years and median debt of $31,125, Livingstone College offers limited financial return on investment. The 27% graduation rate means most students don't complete their degree, making the financial risk substantial.
What are the highest paying majors at Livingstone College?
Criminal Justice graduates earn the most at $32,711 annually, while most other programs pay around $25,000. Even the top-paying program barely exceeds the overall graduate average of $32,600.
How much debt do Livingstone College students graduate with?
Students graduate with $31,125 in median debt, which nearly equals their first-year salary of $32,600. This debt-to-income ratio makes loan repayment challenging for most graduates.
What is the graduation rate at Livingstone College?
Only 27% of students graduate from Livingstone College. This means nearly three out of four students leave without a degree, often still carrying student loan debt.