Albion College
Albion College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Albion College at a Glance
Albion College is a private liberal arts college in Albion, Michigan, United States. The college was founded in 1835, and its undergraduate population was approximately 1,500 students as of fall 2021. The college competes in NCAA Division III and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
1835
191 years old
$161M
$161.1 million (2019)
1,523
124
574 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Albion College
Official admissions pageNovember 1 (Early Decision)
Testing policy
Is Albion College Worth It?
Albion College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $14,301/year, it's priced 30% below average, while graduates go on to earn $58,799 — 9% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Albion College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #5 of 214 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Albion College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in MI.
Best Programs at Albion College
The highest-earning program at Albion College is Communication and Media Studies at $29,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $27,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Communication and Media Studies graduate from Albion College earns $29,300, while a Biology, General graduate earns $27,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Communication and Media Studies graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,301/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,300 | $29,300 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Albion, MI
- Student Body
- 1,300 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,301
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,799
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000