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Small Colleges

50 schools. See our methodology.

America's small colleges under 5,000 students produce some of the highest-earning graduates in higher education, with MIT leading at $143,372 in median earnings despite charging just $19,813 net cost. These 3,004 institutions range from ultra-selective powerhouses like Caltech (2.7% acceptance rate) to specialized nursing programs with perfect 100% graduation rates. The earnings gap tells a compelling story about career focus versus general education. Engineering-focused schools like Harvey Mudd and Franklin W Olin College consistently deliver six-figure starting salaries, while nursing colleges across Missouri and Virginia graduate students into stable healthcare careers earning $57,000 to $92,000 annually. Small college graduates enter job markets where employers value the close faculty mentorship and specialized training these institutions provide. Technology companies in California recruit heavily from Caltech and Harvey Mudd, while healthcare systems nationwide depend on graduates from specialized nursing programs. The financial advantage becomes clear when comparing outcomes: students at these small colleges often outperform peers from larger universities in both graduation rates and early career earnings, making the investment particularly valuable in today's competitive job market.
50
Schools
$24,903
Avg. Net Price
$87,858
Avg. Earnings
90.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Small Colleges

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 4,571 $19,813 96.1% 4.0%
2 915 $32,492 93.8% 13.4%
3 1,023 $18,902 93.2% 2.7%
4 947 $7,506 80.6% 27.4%
5 373 $20,575 92.2% 19.1%
6 283 $29,688 100.0% 22.2%
7 2,696 $38,876 92.4% 22.4%
8 567 100.0% 50.0%
9 146 $25,189 100.0% 25.8%
10 273 $21,976 100.0% 24.4%
11 1,379 $27,384 95.2% 10.4%
12 322 100.0%
13 4,367 $28,619 96.0% 6.4%
14 212 $24,868 100.0% 40.0%
15 634 100.0% 33.3%
16 274 $33,596 75.5% 91.6%
17 4,562 $12,640 95.7% 8.7%
18 2,060 $14,852 96.6% 8.5%
19 1,884 $23,911 94.9% 17.0%
20 509 $26,027 68.8% 66.3%
21 302 $45,824 66.7% 49.2%
22 3,168 $36,836 64.3%
23 273 100.0%
24 1,242 $21,781 74.9% 80.3%
25 4,288 $38,787 88.2% 57.9%
26 228 $20,438 83.3% 56.3%
27 1,846 $20,786 95.6% 9.2%
28 25 $22,341 100.0% 33.3%
29 177 $36,219 100.0% 100.0%
30 1,627 $18,686 94.1% 6.9%
31 374 $14,867 75.0% 33.3%
32 251 $29,794 100.0%
33 4,577 $4,702 77.7% 64.6%
34 43 $24,342 100.0%
35 4,084 $40,468 89.9% 46.2%
36 3,219 $39,253 92.9% 8.8%
37 3,122 $29,107 90.5% 12.4%
38 2,318 $25,008 91.2% 13.6%
39 1,638 $19,424 93.2% 7.0%
40 1,907 $18,246 93.4% 7.3%
41 2,282 $23,939 90.2% 7.6%
42 16 $14,507 100.0%
43 973 $30,622 94.7% 15.0%
44 891 $16,478 80.3% 22.5%
45 888 $21,185 61.4% 57.7%
46 179 $22,322 69.2% 52.9%
47 409 100.0% 70.6%
48 1,901 $18,127 91.9% 17.0%
49 2,045 $28,314 91.3% 11.8%
50 112 $31,307 100.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes small colleges worth the investment compared to larger universities?

Small colleges deliver strong return on investment through specialized programs and close faculty relationships. MIT graduates earn $143,372 median salary while paying just $19,813 net cost. Harvey Mudd College produces $138,687 earners with only 915 students total. The 96.1% graduation rate at MIT reflects the personal attention possible at smaller institutions.

How competitive are admissions at top small colleges?

Admission rates vary dramatically among small colleges, from Caltech's ultra-selective 2.7% to nursing programs accepting 40-50% of applicants. MIT accepts just 3.96% of applicants for 4,571 students, while Franklin W Olin College admits 19.14% for 373 spots. Engineering schools typically maintain the most competitive admission standards.

Do small colleges really have better graduation rates?

Small colleges often achieve outstanding graduation rates through personalized support systems. Seven institutions in this group maintain perfect 100% graduation rates, including nursing colleges and specialized programs. Even highly selective schools like MIT (96.1%) and Harvey Mudd (93.8%) significantly exceed national averages through close student-faculty relationships.

What career outcomes can students expect from small colleges?

Career outcomes at small colleges often surpass larger institutions, particularly in specialized fields. Engineering programs produce graduates earning $128,000-$143,000 annually, while nursing programs deliver steady $57,000-$92,000 salaries. The focused curricula and industry connections at small colleges create direct pathways to high-paying careers.

Is the cost of small colleges justified by their outcomes?

Many small colleges offer excellent value despite higher sticker prices. Net costs range from $7,506 at the US Merchant Marine Academy to $38,876 at Babson College. However, graduates often recoup investments quickly through higher salaries. MIT's $19,813 net cost becomes negligible against $143,372 earning potential.

Where do small college graduates find the best job opportunities?

Small college graduates excel in specialized job markets nationwide. California's tech industry heavily recruits from Caltech and Harvey Mudd, while healthcare systems across all 50 states hire nursing program graduates. The Merchant Marine Academy's 947 graduates enter maritime careers with $90,610 median earnings and guaranteed job placement.

Small Colleges by State

Alaska (8) Alabama (47) Arkansas (48) Arizona (48) California (255) Colorado (38) Connecticut (21) District of Columbia (9) Florida (133) Georgia (83) Hawaii (15) Iowa (47) Idaho (11) Illinois (111) Indiana (53) Kansas (54) Kentucky (47) Louisiana (48) Massachusetts (81) Maryland (38) Maine (24) Michigan (61) Minnesota (62) Missouri (67) Mississippi (28) Montana (22) North Carolina (111) North Dakota (18) Nebraska (28) New Hampshire (20) New Jersey (60) New Mexico (30) Nevada (14) New York (220) Ohio (136) Oklahoma (44) Oregon (40) Pennsylvania (168) Puerto Rico (67) Rhode Island (10) South Carolina (55) South Dakota (18) Tennessee (60) Texas (176) Utah (13) Virginia (84) Vermont (10) Washington (62) Wisconsin (46) West Virginia (34) Wyoming (8)

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