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 in Santa Fe hands you a weak financial return, and the numbers don't hide it. You pay $24,351 a year in net price, and ten years out the median graduate earns $44,985. That gap is the whole story: your out-of-pocket cost is more than half of what a full year of post-college income looks like, and it takes a long time to make that math work.
The school runs one undergraduate track: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Graduates of that program show early earnings of $20,140 against $26,697 in debt. There is no engineering, nursing, or computer science option here to pull the average up. You are betting on a great-books education, not a paycheck, and the Santa Fe job market gives you no local industry to convert that degree into high pay.
The specific risk is debt against income. Owing roughly $27,000 while starting near $20,000 means your loan balance can shadow you for years, especially if you stay in New Mexico. A 60 percent graduation rate and 78 percent retention also mean a real share of you leave without the degree but with the bill.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $14,669. over $110,000, you pay roughly $35,017. So the aid meaningfully cuts costs at the bottom, but even $15,000 a year against these earnings is a stretch.
This school fits you if you have outside financial support, want the specific great-books program, and treat earnings as secondary. If you need the degree to pay for itself, or you'll rely heavily on loans, look elsewhere. The earnings here won't cover the cost quickly.
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.