At $29,562/yr net price, Mount Holyoke College graduates earn $58,418/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,418/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,562 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $118,248 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,418/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,418/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,902 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,365/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,670/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,565/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,425/yr |
| $110,001+ | $42,389/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $45,696 | $18,486 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $43,798 | $21,500 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $42,682 | $16,594 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $36,852 | $23,828 |
| Education, Other. | Bachelor | $36,560 | $19,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $21,000 |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $21,053 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | Bachelor | $30,409 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,409 |
The Risk Factor
85.0% of students at Mount Holyoke College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Mount Holyoke gives you a mixed financial picture: strong graduation and retention numbers paired with mid-tier earnings and modest debt. You leave with a median debt around $23,000 against median earnings near $58,000 ten years out, so you're not buried, but the payoff is steady rather than high.
The listed bachelor's programs tell a cautious story. International relations tops the group but still lands under $46,000, and the economics, sociology, and Romance languages tracks fall below that. These are early-career-adjacent figures, and they run well under the school-wide $58,000 median, which suggests your later earnings depend heavily on graduate school or fields not captured in these five programs. If you major in one of these humanities or social science tracks and stop at a bachelor's, expect a slow climb.
The main risk here is region and field mix. South Hadley sits in western Massachusetts, away from Boston's higher-paying job market, and the strongest listed majors are liberal arts fields where salaries lean on advanced degrees. If you plan to enter the workforce directly and want a fast return, the numbers don't back that up.
The net price tiers are where Mount Holyoke works in your favor. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay roughly $17,000 a year, and even the $48-75k band stays around $21,500. Above $110,000, the price jumps past $42,000, close to the sticker figure. So this school rewards lower- and middle-income families and gets expensive fast for higher earners.
Mount Holyoke fits you if you qualify for the lower price tiers, plan to graduate (85% do), and intend to pursue graduate study in your field. If you're paying full freight and want a direct, high-salary return from your bachelor's alone, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Holyoke College worth the cost?
Mount Holyoke graduates earn $58,418 annually 10 years after graduation, which is modest for a school costing $29,562 per year. The return on investment varies significantly by major, with International Relations graduates earning $45,696 compared to Romance Languages graduates at $36,852.
What are the best paying majors at Mount Holyoke College?
International Relations leads at $45,696 in median earnings, followed by Sociology at $43,798. Liberal arts majors like Romance Languages earn considerably less at $36,852, making major selection critical for financial outcomes.
How much debt do Mount Holyoke College students graduate with?
The median debt is $22,902, which is manageable given the 85% graduation rate. However, graduates in lower-paying majors may struggle with loan payments relative to their starting salaries.
Does Mount Holyoke College provide good financial aid?
The net price of $29,562 represents significant aid from the full cost of attendance. However, this still leaves many students with substantial debt for earnings that average under $60,000 ten years post-graduation.