Gettysburg, PA · Private University
Is Gettysburg College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,517
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,230
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,230
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$256,920
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.11x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
82.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,999
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$30,086
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Gettysburg College graduates earn $26,517 more 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 Gettysburg College ranked by graduate earnings
81 graduates
34 graduates
21 graduates
71 graduates
83 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Gettysburg College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Gettysburg College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $86,599) and the lowest (Music: $27,556) is $59,043/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $86,599 | 1.4x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $75,829 | 1.2x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $74,642 | 1.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $71,231 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $66,454 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $54,100 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $50,611 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $49,048 | 0.8x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $44,068 | 0.7x |
| History | $42,417 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $41,599 | 0.7x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $38,544 | 0.6x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $36,396 | 0.6x |
| MusicLowest(1yr data) | $27,556 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg College | 1.11x | $71,517 | Average ROI |
| Connecticut College | 1.16x | $75,001 | Average ROI |
| DePauw University | 1.24x | $70,527 | Average ROI |
| Providence College | 1.43x | $87,054 | Average ROI |
| Union College | 1.33x | $88,604 | Average ROI |
| The College of Wooster | 1.00x | $59,629 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Gettysburg College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $71,517 10 years after starting — $26,517 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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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.