Berea, KY · Private University
Is Berea College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$43,150
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$49,326
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,326
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$197,304
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
0.88x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
24.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
62.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$3,591
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$4,483
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Berea College graduates earn $1,850 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Berea College ranked by graduate earnings
16 graduates
29 graduates
31 graduates
36 graduates
30 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Berea College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Berea College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $67,510) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $20,036) is $47,474/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI(1yr data) | $67,510 | 1.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $65,907 | 1.3x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $52,009 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,404 | 0.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,291 | 0.8x |
| Education, General | $33,882 | 0.7x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $32,288 | 0.7x |
| Biology, General | $29,333 | 0.6x |
| Agriculture, General | $28,065 | 0.6x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $20,036 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berea College | 0.88x | $43,150 | Below Average |
| Clark University | 1.13x | $62,381 | Average ROI |
| Pratt Institute-Main | 0.91x | $54,295 | Below Average |
| Mount Holyoke College | 0.91x | $58,418 | Below Average |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | 1.06x | $55,624 | Average ROI |
| Emerson College | 1.13x | $62,832 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Berea College carries higher costs relative to graduate earnings, warranting careful consideration. Graduates earn $43,150 10 years after starting, $1,850 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 24.2 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.