Atlanta, GA · Private University
Is Oglethorpe University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$55,232
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$45,806
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$45,806
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$183,224
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.21x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
53.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,735
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Oglethorpe University graduates earn $10,232 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 Oglethorpe University ranked by graduate earnings
17 graduates
36 graduates
25 graduates
18 graduates
23 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Oglethorpe University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Oglethorpe University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $77,243) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $22,866) is $54,377/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $77,243 | 1.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,110 | 1.3x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $52,488 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $49,884 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General(1yr data) | $27,337 | 0.6x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $22,866 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Oglethorpe University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $55,232 10 years after starting, $10,232 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.1 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.