Gambier, OH · Private University
Is Kenyon College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,830
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$69,330
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$69,330
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$277,320
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.04x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
86.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,527
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,383
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Kenyon College graduates earn $26,830 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 Kenyon College ranked by graduate earnings
31 graduates
27 graduates
39 graduates
24 graduates
21 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Kenyon College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Kenyon College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $75,347) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $23,082) is $52,265/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $75,347 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $43,685 | 0.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,331 | 0.6x |
| Psychology, General | $42,073 | 0.6x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $23,082 | 0.3x |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenyon College | 1.04x | $71,830 | Average ROI |
| Franklin and Marshall College | 1.11x | $76,124 | Average ROI |
| Bryn Mawr College | 1.20x | $75,217 | Average ROI |
| Oberlin College | 0.90x | $58,343 | Below Average |
| Denison University | 1.06x | $67,753 | Average ROI |
| Connecticut College | 1.16x | $75,001 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Kenyon College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $71,830 10 years after starting — $26,830 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.5 years, a reasonable timeline.
Ready to apply to Kenyon College?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
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.