At $18,436/yr net price, Randolph College graduates earn $53,409/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,409/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,436 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,744 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,409/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,409/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,950 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,931/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,767/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,824/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,362/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,740/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $43,575 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $26,373 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $22,771 | $23,750 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $18,771 |
The Risk Factor
51.5% of students at Randolph College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Randolph College gives you a mixed financial return that leans risky. You pay about $18,400 a year net, come out with median debt near $27,000, and hit median earnings of $53,409 ten years out. That earnings figure covers the debt over time, but the program-level data underneath it is where things fall apart.
The three programs with reported earnings all pay poorly early on. Biology graduates start around $28,600 while carrying over $26,000 in debt, which means you leave with almost as much debt as your first-year income. Health and Physical Education/Fitness sits lower at about $22,800, and Fine and Studio Arts lands under $18,800 with no debt figure attached. None of these clear the debt load quickly. If you major in one of these fields here, expect years before your salary outpaces what you borrowed.
The retention rate is the loudest warning. Only 68% of first-year students come back, and just under 52% finish. If you borrow, enroll, and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings payoff. That risk applies to nearly half of everyone who starts.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $16,800 to $16,900. Cross into the $75,000-to-$110,000 band and your price jumps to $22,362, the highest of any tier and more than families earning over $110,000 pay. That middle-income bracket gets the worst deal here.
Randolph makes financial sense if your family income is under $48,000 and you finish. If you plan to major in fine arts or health and fitness, or if you fall in the $75k-$110k income band, the numbers point you toward cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Randolph College worth the cost for most students?
Randolph College graduates earn a median of $53,409 ten years after graduation, which is modest given the $18,436 annual net price and typical debt of $26,950. The 51% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, making it a risky investment for many.
Which programs at Randolph College have the best ROI?
Curriculum and Instruction graduates earn $43,575, making it the only program that clearly justifies the cost. Biology graduates earn just $28,598, while Fine Arts graduates average only $18,771, barely covering the annual net price.
How much debt do Randolph College students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $26,950, which is manageable compared to some schools but concerning given the relatively low earning outcomes. Students in lower-paying programs like Fine Arts face particularly difficult debt-to-income ratios.
Does Randolph College provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
With a net price of $18,436, Randolph does offer significant financial aid since the sticker price is much higher. However, the low graduation rate and modest earnings suggest the investment still carries substantial risk even at the reduced cost.