At $21,176/yr net price, Ripon College graduates earn $54,902/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,902/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,176 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,704 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,902/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,902/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.9% |
| 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 | $13,478/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,038/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,763/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,858/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,200/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $34,704 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $26,949 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| History. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $26,838 |
The Risk Factor
59.9% of students at Ripon 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
Ripon College sits in a mixed financial position. The overall median earnings of $54,902 ten years out clears the debt load of $27,000, so a typical graduate can pay down what they borrowed. But the program-level earnings data tells a harsher story, and the gap between the two is the thing to watch.
Business is your safest bet here. Early-career business graduates earn more than any other tracked program at Ripon, and they carry the same $27,000 debt everyone else does. Health and Physical Education comes next, but drops off by nearly $9,000. After that, the numbers get rough. English graduates start around $28,600, and biology sits near $31,100 against almost identical debt. If you major in English or biology at Ripon and borrow the median, your first paychecks will make that debt feel heavy for years.
The core risk is completion. A 60% graduation rate and a 76% retention rate mean a real share of students leave. Leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome, and it happens often enough here that you should be honest with yourself about finishing.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $13,000 a year, roughly half the sticker for families over $110,000, who pay $29,200. That top-tier price is the one that gets hard to justify unless you go into business.
Ripon works financially if you're aiming at business or come from a lower-income household getting the discounted rate. If you plan to major in English or biology and pay the full $29,200 tier, look hard at the earnings numbers first, because the math does not favor you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ripon College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Ripon College graduates earn $54,902 after 10 years, which is below average for the $21,176 annual cost. The 59.9% graduation rate means 4 out of 10 students don't finish, making it a risky investment for many.
What are the best paying majors at Ripon College?
Business graduates from Ripon College earn around $43,426 annually, the highest among major programs. Health/fitness and liberal arts majors earn significantly less at $34,704 and $33,993 respectively.
How much debt do Ripon College students typically graduate with?
Ripon College graduates leave with a median debt of $27,000. With starting salaries around $54,902, this debt load is manageable but the low graduation rate increases the risk of borrowing without completing a degree.
Does Ripon College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Ripon College's net price of $21,176 after aid is reasonable for a private school. However, the modest earning potential and below-average graduation rate limit the overall return on investment regardless of aid received.