At $15,922/yr net price, Magdalen College graduates earn $35,809/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,809/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,922 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $63,688 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,809/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,809/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 35.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.3% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,336/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,011/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,447/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,911/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $23,649 | $25,164 |
The Risk Factor
53.3% of students at Magdalen 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
Magdalen College's numbers are hard. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $35,809 a year. That is below what many jobs pay with no degree at all, and it sits under the roughly $16,000 annual net price you pay to attend. The financial return here is weak, and you should know that going in.
The one bachelor's program with reported outcomes is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, and its graduates earn $23,649 a year against $25,164 in debt. You are borrowing more than a full year of post-graduation income for that degree. A single-program, humanities-only school gives you no higher-paying major to fall back on. There is no engineering, nursing, or business track here to change the math.
The specific risk is concentration. With one credential leading to low pay and debt that outsizes early earnings, your repayment window stretches long. An 80% retention rate and a 53% graduation rate mean a real share of you leave, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome of all.
The net price tiers do not reward lower income the way you would hope. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay more ($16,336) than a family earning $30,000 to $48,000 ($13,011). The $48,000 to $75,000 band pays the most at $17,447. Run your own aid numbers before committing, because the pattern here is uneven.
This school fits you if a Catholic great-books education is the point and earnings are secondary to that goal, and you can cover cost with little or no borrowing. If you need a degree that pays back tuition within a few years of graduating, look elsewhere. The wage data does not support that outcome here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Magdalen College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Magdalen College graduates earn $35,809 ten years after graduation, which is below average for college graduates nationally. With a net price of $15,922 per year, the return on investment is modest but the lower cost helps limit debt risk.
What are the highest paying majors at Magdalen College?
The school's main program is Liberal Arts and Sciences, which leads to average earnings of $23,649. This is significantly lower than typical starting salaries for college graduates in most fields.
How much financial aid does Magdalen College actually give students?
The average net price is $15,922 per year after aid, which suggests moderate financial assistance. However, with a 53% graduation rate, many students don't complete their degrees to see any return on this investment.
Should I attend Magdalen College if I'm worried about student debt?
The relatively low annual cost of $15,922 means less debt than many colleges, but the low graduate earnings of $35,809 make loan repayment challenging. The 53% graduation rate also means high risk of debt without a degree.