At $36,828/yr net price, Spelman College graduates earn $59,993/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,993/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $36,828 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $147,312 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,993/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,993/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 76.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $31,898/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $31,961/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $34,390/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,209/yr |
| $110,001+ | $42,201/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $48,667 | $26,375 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $25,314 |
| International/Global Studies. | Bachelor | $37,748 | $27,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | Bachelor | $35,600 | $25,500 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $26,250 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $26,747 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,525 | $25,674 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $15,552 |
The Risk Factor
76.1% of students at Spelman College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 24% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Spelman's ROI is mixed and leans on strong graduation and retention over raw salary. You leave with a 76% graduation rate and a 94% first-year retention rate, so the odds you finish what you start are high. The problem is what you pay to get there: nearly $37,000 a year in net price, which is steep for a school whose graduates earn just under $60,000 a decade out. That median debt of $25,000 is manageable against those earnings, but only because Spelman keeps borrowing modest, not because the paychecks are large.
The listed program earnings tell a harder story. Economics is the clear winner, and its graduates out-earn every other program on the list by roughly $10,000 a year. English, international studies, ethnic and gender studies, and political science all land in the mid-to-high $30,000s while carrying the same $25,000-plus debt loads. Paying private-college prices for a degree that returns $38,000 a year is a weak trade on paper. If you come to Spelman for economics or a quantitative path, the math works. If you come for the humanities and social sciences that dominate this list, go in knowing the early-career return is thin relative to the cost.
The net price tiers are the real risk here. Spelman barely discounts by income: if your family earns under $30,000, you still pay close to $32,000 a year, only about $10,000 less than families earning over $110,000. That flat structure means low-income families carry the heaviest burden relative to what they have.
Spelman fits you if you want an economics degree or value the finishing rates enough to justify the cost. If you need aggressive need-based aid or a high-paying major, price it carefully first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spelman College worth the debt and high tuition costs?
Spelman graduates earn a median of $60,000 ten years after graduation, while typical debt is $25,000. The economics program shows stronger returns at $48,667, but other majors like political science average only $35,060.
What are the best paying majors at Spelman College?
Economics majors at Spelman earn the highest salaries at $48,667 annually. English and international studies majors earn significantly less, around $37,000-$38,000 per year.
How does Spelman College financial aid affect the real cost?
The net price at Spelman is $36,828 per year after aid. With four years of costs totaling nearly $150,000, the debt load can be substantial even with financial assistance.
Does Spelman College have good graduation rates for the money?
Spelman has a 76% graduation rate, which is solid but not exceptional for the high cost. The question is whether the career outcomes justify spending almost $37,000 annually.