Allegheny College
Allegheny College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Allegheny College at a Glance
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college in Meadville, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1815, Allegheny is the oldest college in continuous existence under the same name west of the Allegheny Mountains. It is a member of the Great Lakes Colleges Association and the Presidents' Athletic Conference and it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
1815
211 years old
$280M
$279.5 million (2025)
1,068
151
542 acres
Identity
Is Allegheny College Worth It?
Allegheny College offers moderate value at $22,940/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $62,069, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Allegheny College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #7 of 55 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 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #2 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #3 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #4 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #5 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #6 | Coe College | 48 | $18,745 | $57,125 |
| #7 | Allegheny College | 47 | $22,940 | $62,069 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Allegheny College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in PA.
Best Programs at Allegheny College
The highest-earning program at Allegheny College is Economics at $40,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $23,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Allegheny College earns $40,500, while a Biology, General graduate earns $23,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,940/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $40,500 | $40,500 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $27,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $25,400 | $25,400 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $23,600 | $23,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Meadville, PA
- Student Body
- 1,156 students
- Admission Rate
- 55%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,940
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,069
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000