At $24,351/yr net price, St. John's College graduates earn $44,985/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,985/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,351 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $97,404 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,985/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,985/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.0% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,669/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,405/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,836/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,282/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,017/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $26,697 |
The Risk Factor
60.0% of students at St. John's College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
St. John's College delivers weak financial returns that make it a risky investment for most students. Your median earnings of $45,000 ten years after graduation barely justify the $24,000 annual net price, especially when 40% of students don't graduate at all.
The college's single academic program - Liberal Arts and Sciences - produces the lowest earnings in the data at just $20,140 annually while saddling graduates with $26,697 in debt. This creates a troubling debt-to-income ratio that will strain your budget for years after graduation.
Santa Fe's limited job market compounds the problem. The city lacks major corporate headquarters or thriving industries that typically hire liberal arts graduates at competitive salaries. You'll likely need to relocate to find better-paying work, adding moving costs to your financial burden.
The 78% retention rate signals that many students struggle with St. John's unconventional Great Books curriculum, which focuses entirely on reading classic texts rather than developing marketable skills. If you don't complete the program, you'll face the worst possible outcome: debt without a degree.
Only 24% of students receive financial aid, suggesting the college offers limited assistance beyond federal programs. The school provides no clear merit scholarship opportunities or cost-reduction strategies for middle-income families.
St. John's makes financial sense only if you have substantial family wealth, plan to pursue graduate school in fields like law or medicine, or value the unique educational experience over earning potential. If you need your college degree to generate income quickly after graduation, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. John's College worth the debt?
St. John's College graduates earn $44,985 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $24,351 per year, many students will struggle to pay off loans on these earnings.
What is the return on investment for St. John's College degrees?
St. John's College has poor ROI compared to most colleges. The school's liberal arts focus and low earnings outcomes make it financially risky for students taking on significant debt.
Do St. John's College graduates get good jobs?
St. John's College graduates typically earn less than peers from other schools, with median earnings of $44,985 after ten years. The Great Books curriculum doesn't translate well to high-paying careers in most fields.
How much financial aid does St. John's College give?
St. John's College brings the average cost down to $24,351 per year after financial aid. However, this is still expensive given the low earning potential of graduates.