At $20,197/yr net price, Meredith College graduates earn $51,539/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,539/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,197 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,788 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,539/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,539/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,882/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,337/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,521/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,976/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,045/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,949 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $48,432 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $44,021 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,798 | $22,875 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. | Master | $43,128 | $34,200 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $42,682 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $36,166 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $35,274 | $25,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $32,569 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
65.0% of students at Meredith College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 35% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Meredith College sits in a mixed financial spot. The median earnings of $51,539 ten years out land above what the individual program lines suggest, which means the school's overall payoff runs stronger than any single major here promises on its own. That gap matters: no undergraduate program listed clears $45,000 in early earnings, yet the school-wide median is well above that. Something is working past the entry-level numbers.
Human Resources Management and Business Administration are your safest bets financially. HR tops the list, and Business pairs solid pay with the lowest debt of any program shown at $22,875. Biology is the warning sign. It pays the least of the five listed programs while carrying the highest debt at $27,000, so you'd borrow more to earn less. Design and Specialized Sales fall in the same low-pay range. If you're drawn to Meredith for science, know that the biology numbers don't back up the borrowing.
The main risk here is the spread between what you pay and what these programs return early. A $25,000 median debt against sub-$45,000 starting salaries in most fields makes your major choice the deciding factor, not the school itself. An 80.97% retention rate and 65% graduation rate mean roughly a third of students don't finish in the standard window, and dropping out with debt and no degree is the worst outcome.
Meredith fits you if you're heading into business or HR and can keep borrowing near the Business cohort's level. Look harder if you're set on biology or design at full price. On cost, the net price drops sharply by income: under $48k in family income, you pay around $14,000 a year, while over $110k pushes past $28,000. Lower-income families get the strongest deal here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meredith College worth the cost?
Meredith College graduates earn $51,539 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $20,197 annually and typical debt of $25,000, the return on investment is modest unless you pursue high-paying programs like business administration.
What are the highest paying majors at Meredith College?
Business Administration graduates from Meredith College earn around $74,000 annually, making it the strongest financial choice. Special Education ($48,432) and Human Resources ($44,021) offer more modest returns, while nutrition-related programs typically lead to lower earnings around $43,000.
How much debt do Meredith College students graduate with?
The median debt for Meredith College graduates is $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with average earnings of $51,539, graduates may still face tight budgets in their early career years.
Does Meredith College have good job placement after graduation?
Meredith College has a 65% graduation rate, which is below the national average for four-year colleges. The relatively high acceptance rate of 73% suggests less selective admissions, which can correlate with varied student outcomes and career preparation.