Adrian College
Adrian College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Adrian College at a Glance
Adrian College is a private United Methodist liberal arts college in Adrian, Michigan. The college offers bachelor's degrees in 92 academic majors and programs. The 100 acre (0.40 km2) campus contains newly constructed facilities along with historic buildings. Adrian College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The spring 2020–21 enrollment was 1,677 students.
1859
167 years old
$60M
$60 million
1,865
95
100 acres
Identity
Is Adrian College Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, Adrian College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,504 — 3% above average — while paying $25,368/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Adrian College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Adrian College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #74 of 130 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #6 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #74 | Adrian College | 28 | $25,368 | $55,504 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Adrian College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in MI.
Best Programs at Adrian College
The highest-earning program at Adrian College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $39,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $26,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Adrian College earns $39,300, while a Biology, General graduate earns $26,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,368/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,300 | $39,300 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,900 | $35,900 | N/A |
| Marketing | $34,800 | $34,800 | $26,280 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,300 | $33,300 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,700 | $31,700 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Adrian, MI
- Student Body
- 1,604 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,368
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,504
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000