Benedictine College
Benedictine College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Benedictine College at a Glance
Benedictine College is a private Benedictine liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas, United States. It was established in 1971 by the merger of St. Benedict's College for men and Mount St. Scholastica College for women.
1971
55 years old
$68M
$68.3 million (2025)
2,536
2,404 undergrad · 132 grad
Identity
Is Benedictine College Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Benedictine College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,175 — 1% below average — while paying $27,891/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 98% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Benedictine College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Benedictine College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #29 of 64 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #3 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #4 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #5 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #6 | Loras College | 48 | $20,716 | $58,289 |
| #29 | Benedictine College | 30 | $27,891 | $53,175 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Benedictine College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in KS.
Best Programs at Benedictine College
The highest-earning program at Benedictine College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $53,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Theological and Ministerial Studies at $21,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Benedictine College earns $53,800, while a Theological and Ministerial Studies graduate earns $21,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,120 in median debt vs. $25,623 for Theological and Ministerial Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,891/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $53,800 | $53,800 | $24,120 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,300 | $46,300 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,200 | $38,200 | $26,959 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,000 | $35,000 | $25,250 |
| Psychology, General | $29,200 | $29,200 | $26,000 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | $21,800 | $21,800 | $25,623 |
Similar Colleges in KS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Atchison, KS
- Student Body
- 2,272 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,891
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,175
- Median Student Debt
- $24,599