At $11,008/yr net price, Young Harris College graduates earn $47,195/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,195/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,008 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $44,032 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,195/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,195/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.7% |
| 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 | $11,154/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,888/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,309/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,219/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,588/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $32,382 | $23,250 |
The Risk Factor
45.7% of students at Young Harris 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
Young Harris College gives you a mixed financial picture. The net price of about $11,000 a year is low for a private nonprofit, and median debt at graduation sits below the national bachelor's average. But median earnings ten years out land around $47,000, which is solid but not high enough to make this a slam-dunk investment, especially given a 45.7% graduation rate. Nearly half of students don't finish in the measured window, and a 66.8% retention rate means one in three first-years doesn't come back. If you take on debt and leave without a degree, the math turns against you fast.
The one program with reported bachelor-level data, Business Administration and Management, shows early-career earnings near $32,000 against roughly $23,000 in debt. That gap is tight. You'd be borrowing almost as much as a full year's starting pay, which is a weak early return for that field here. No other undergraduate program outcomes are listed, so treat that Business figure as the clearest data point you have and dig into departmental placement records before committing.
The income tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns between $30,000 and $48,000, you pay under $8,000 a year, less than families earning under $30,000. Higher earners above $75,000 pay the most, over $13,000. That structure makes Young Harris a reasonable financial fit if your family income falls in the middle-low range and you're confident you'll finish.
The main risk here is completion. The low sticker price only pays off if you graduate. If you're unsure about staying four years, or you're targeting a high-earning field, the modest median earnings and sub-50% grad rate should push you to compare this against cheaper public options in Georgia before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Young Harris College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Young Harris College offers a relatively low net price of $11,008 per year, but graduates earn a median of $47,195 after 10 years. The low graduation rate of 46% means many students don't finish their degrees, which significantly hurts the investment value.
What are the best paying majors at Young Harris College?
Business Administration and Management graduates from Young Harris College earn around $32,382 annually. This is below the national average for business majors and may not justify the debt load, even with the school's lower costs.
How much debt do Young Harris College students typically graduate with?
Young Harris College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000. While this is manageable compared to some schools, the relatively low earning potential of graduates means the debt-to-income ratio is concerning.
Does Young Harris College have good financial aid to make it affordable?
Young Harris College reduces costs significantly through financial aid, bringing the average net price down to $11,008 annually. However, the school's 77% acceptance rate and low graduation rate suggest students should carefully consider whether they can complete their degree before enrolling.