Berry College
Berry College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Berry College at a Glance
Berry College is a private university in the Mount Berry community adjacent to Rome, Georgia, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Berry College was founded on values based on Christian principles in 1902 by Martha Berry.
$1.5B
$1.47 billion (2025)
2,484
2,254 undergrad · 230 grad
177
27,000 acres
Identity
Is Berry College Worth It?
Berry College offers moderate value at $22,320/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,800, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 72% graduation rate means roughly 28% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Berry College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 105 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #6 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #23 | Berry College | 43 | $22,320 | $53,800 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Berry College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in GA.
Best Programs at Berry College
The highest-earning program at Berry College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $51,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $17,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Berry College earns $51,600, while a Biology, General graduate earns $17,100. 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 $21,500 in median debt vs. $22,250 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,320/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 | $51,600 | $51,600 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,900 | $38,900 | $26,848 |
| Marketing | $38,000 | $38,000 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,900 | $35,900 | $16,625 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $31,300 | $31,300 | $25,250 |
| Psychology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $23,478 |
| Animal Sciences | $23,700 | $23,700 | $25,014 |
| Biology, General | $17,100 | $17,100 | $22,250 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Mount Berry, GA
- Student Body
- 2,245 students
- Admission Rate
- 64%
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,320
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,800
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250