South Hadley, MA · Private University
Is Mount Holyoke College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,418
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$64,142
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$64,142
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$256,568
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
0.91x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
11 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
85.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,902
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,562
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Mount Holyoke College graduates earn $13,418 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 Mount Holyoke College ranked by graduate earnings
26 graduates
18 graduates
28 graduates
36 graduates
22 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Mount Holyoke College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Mount Holyoke College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $71,672) and the lowest (Social Sciences, Other: $22,829) is $48,843/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI(1yr data) | $71,672 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $54,680 | 0.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $54,503 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $54,485 | 0.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $46,497 | 0.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,097 | 0.7x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $40,675 | 0.6x |
| Biology, General | $39,479 | 0.6x |
| History | $35,564 | 0.6x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $32,439 | 0.5x |
| Social Sciences, OtherLowest(1yr data) | $22,829 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Holyoke College | 0.91x | $58,418 | Below Average |
| Oberlin College | 0.90x | $58,343 | Below Average |
| Connecticut College | 1.16x | $75,001 | Average ROI |
| Clark University | 1.13x | $62,381 | Average ROI |
| Brandeis University | 1.19x | $77,231 | Average ROI |
| Bryn Mawr College | 1.20x | $75,217 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Mount Holyoke College carries higher costs relative to graduate earnings, warranting careful consideration. Graduates earn $58,418 10 years after starting — $13,418 above the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 11 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.