At $25,934/yr net price, Middlebury College graduates earn $76,310/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $42,310/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,934 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,736 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $76,310/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$42,310/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 92.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,857 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,270/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,548/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,741/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,228/yr |
| $110,001+ | $48,804/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $75,518 | $19,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Master | $60,523 | $74,123 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $58,673 | $13,500 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $56,544 | $80,881 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $55,964 | |
| International Business. | Master | $55,512 | |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. | Master | $52,941 | $76,938 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $46,869 | $66,117 |
| Area Studies. | Bachelor | $44,091 | $11,593 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $43,798 |
The Risk Factor
92.6% of students at Middlebury College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Middlebury gives you a solid financial return with low borrowing risk. The median graduate earns $76,310 ten years out while carrying a median debt of $13,857, so you leave with less than one year's salary in loans. A 92.6% graduation rate and 93.58% retention mean you are likely to finish, which is the biggest financial risk at any college and one Middlebury largely removes.
Economics is the clear payoff. At $75,518, it earns nearly $17,000 more than computer science and matches the college-wide median, so an econ degree here pulls its weight even against the sticker price. Computer science follows at $58,673 with the lowest program debt on the list. International relations sits in the middle at $55,964, fitting Middlebury's language and area-studies focus. Psychology and area studies land under $45,000, and psychology comes with the heaviest borrowing of any program listed at $17,256. If you pick those majors, you take on more debt for less income, and rural Vermont is not a deep job market for them.
The net price tiers reward lower and middle incomes heavily. Earning under $48,000 puts your yearly cost under $10,000, and even the $48,000-$75,000 band pays under $15,000. That flips sharply above $110,000, where you pay $48,804, close to full freight. Families in that top bracket see almost no discount and should weigh whether the earnings justify roughly $195,000 over four years.
Middlebury fits you well if your family income is under $75,000 or if you plan to study economics or computer science. If you are aiming at psychology and paying the top-tier price, run the math carefully, because the earnings do not support that cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Middlebury College worth the cost?
With a net price of $25,934 and median earnings of $76,310 after 10 years, Middlebury delivers solid returns, especially for economics majors who earn $75,518. The low median debt of $13,857 reduces financial risk compared to most private colleges.
What are the highest paying majors at Middlebury College?
Economics leads at $75,518, followed by computer science at $58,673. International relations majors see more modest returns around $55,000-60,000, which may not justify the investment for all students.
How much debt do Middlebury College students graduate with?
The median debt is $13,857, which is relatively low for a private college. This manageable debt load combined with strong earning potential makes Middlebury less risky than many expensive liberal arts schools.
Does Middlebury College provide good financial aid?
The net price of $25,934 is reasonable for a selective private college, suggesting decent financial aid for many families. However, this varies significantly based on family income and the school's aid formulas.