At $18,034/yr net price, Monmouth College graduates earn $51,110/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,110/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,034 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $72,136 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,110/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,110/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,780/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,353/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,568/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,615/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,788/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,560 | $25,045 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,594 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $31,708 | $24,625 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $28,960 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $27,497 | |
| History. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $23,351 |
The Risk Factor
60.1% of students at Monmouth College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Monmouth College gives you a middling financial return with some real warning signs. The median graduate earns $51,110 after ten years, which clears the debt load of $27,000, so the overall math works if you finish. The problem is finishing. A 60% graduation rate and a 70% retention rate mean roughly a third of first-year students don't come back, and dropping out with a chunk of that debt and no degree is the worst outcome here.
The program-level earnings tell a harder story. None of the top five majors by pay crack $37,000 in early-career earnings. Business Administration leads at $36,560, followed by teacher education at $35,594. Psychology sits at the bottom of the list at $29,685 while carrying the full $27,000 debt load, so that combination is the one to avoid. If you're aiming at business or teaching, the return is defensible. if you're drawn to psychology or communications, the early paychecks won't stretch far against what you borrow.
Net price scales sharply with income here. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $12,780 a year. over $110k, you pay $22,788. That's a $10,000 annual gap, and the lower-income tiers get a genuine discount. For a middle-income family in the $48-75k range, the $15,568 sticker still adds up to a large four-year bill against sub-$37,000 starting salaries.
Monmouth fits you if you're targeting business or education, likely to graduate on time, and coming from a lower-income household that qualifies for the steepest price break. Look elsewhere if you're leaning toward psychology or PR, or if there's any real chance you won't finish, because the debt without the degree is a bad bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monmouth College worth the cost?
With graduates earning $51,110 ten years after enrollment and median debt of $27,000, Monmouth College offers decent value for a private liberal arts school. The net price of $18,034 is manageable, though the 60% graduation rate means significant dropout risk.
What are the best paying majors at Monmouth College?
Business Administration leads at $36,560 starting salary, followed by Education at $35,594. Other popular programs like Psychology ($29,685) and Communications ($28,960) offer below-average returns given the total cost of attendance.
How much debt do Monmouth College graduates have?
Median debt is $27,000, which is reasonable compared to many private colleges. With typical starting salaries around $30,000-36,000 for most programs, debt payments should be manageable for graduates who complete their degree.
Does Monmouth College have good financial aid?
The net price of $18,034 suggests solid financial aid, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. However, with a 90% acceptance rate and average test scores, merit aid likely focuses on enrollment rather than academic achievement.