At $20,906/yr net price, Prescott College graduates earn $42,359/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,359/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,906 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,624 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,359/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,359/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 35.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,300 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,573/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,716/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,266/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,353/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,921/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $43,426 | $71,500 |
The Risk Factor
35.9% of students at Prescott College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Prescott College gives you a mixed financial picture with a clear downside: you'll leave earning about $42,000 ten years out, which is modest for a private four-year college that runs roughly $21,000 a year net. The saving grace is debt. A median of $16,300 borrowed is low, and it stays low enough that repayment shouldn't crush you even on those earnings.
The graduation rate is the biggest risk here. At 35.9%, most people who enroll don't finish. If you pay for years of tuition and walk away without a degree, you get the cost with none of the earnings bump. The 75% retention rate says one in four first-years already leaves before sophomore year, so this risk hits early. Before enrolling, be honest about whether you'll stay through all four years, because that single factor decides whether the price is worth anything.
No bachelor-level program salary data is listed, so treat the $42,000 median as the number to plan around across majors. Prescott leans toward environmental and education fields, and those pay on the lower end regionally, which fits the modest earnings figure.
The net price tiers hold a surprise worth reading closely. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $16,600, the lowest tier. But the $48,000-$75,000 band pays the most, over $31,000, more than families earning above $110,000. If you land in that middle-income range, you get the worst deal here, and you should compare against a state school before committing.
This school fits you if you're set on its environmental or education focus, plan to finish, and can keep borrowing near the median. If you need strong earnings to justify the cost, or you fall in that squeezed middle-income tier, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prescott College worth the cost for the career outcomes?
Prescott College graduates earn a median of $42,359 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for a bachelor's degree. The low graduation rate of 36% means many students pay tuition without completing their degree, making the investment risky for most students.
What programs at Prescott College have the best return on investment?
Mental and Social Health Services programs show the strongest earnings potential at $43,426 median salary. However, this is still modest compared to other fields, and students should carefully research job market demand in their target location.
How much debt do Prescott College graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $16,300, which is relatively manageable compared to many private colleges. Still, with lower-than-average earnings and a high dropout risk, even this debt level could be challenging to repay for some graduates.
Does Prescott College's acceptance rate affect its value?
With a 98% acceptance rate, Prescott College admits nearly all applicants, which typically indicates less selectivity and potentially weaker academic outcomes. The combination of easy admission and low graduation rates suggests many students may not be academically prepared for success.