Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Bryn Mawr College at a Glance
Bryn Mawr College is a private women's liberal arts college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as a Quaker institution in 1885, Bryn Mawr is one of the Seven Sister colleges, a group of historically women's colleges in the United States. The college has an enrollment of about 1,350 undergraduate students and 450 graduate students. It was one of the first women's colleges in the United States to offer graduate education through a PhD.
1885
141 years old
$1.3B
$1.34 billion (2025)
1,677
1,360 undergrad · 317 grad
160
135 acres
Identity
Is Bryn Mawr College Worth It?
Bryn Mawr College offers moderate value at $31,759/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $75,217, 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 84% graduation rate means roughly 16% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Admission is competitive with a 29% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Bryn Mawr College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 17 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 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | 100 | $13,269 | $83,847 |
| #2 | Trinity College | 54 | $34,832 | $90,779 |
| #3 | Bryn Mawr College | 49 | $31,759 | $75,217 |
| #4 | Mount Holyoke College | 47 | $26,441 | $58,418 |
| #5 | Gettysburg College | 47 | $31,490 | $71,517 |
| #6 | Macalester College | 44 | $32,149 | $63,878 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Bryn Mawr College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in PA.
Best Programs at Bryn Mawr College
The highest-earning program at Bryn Mawr College is Psychology, General at $29,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $20,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Psychology, General graduate from Bryn Mawr College earns $29,600, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $20,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Psychology, General graduates carry $23,708 in median debt vs. $23,011 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $31,759/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | $29,600 | $29,600 | $23,708 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,800 | $25,800 | $24,325 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $20,700 | $20,700 | $23,011 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Bryn Mawr, PA
- Student Body
- 1,359 students
- Admission Rate
- 29%
- Graduation Rate
- 84%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $31,759
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $75,217
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000