Cedar Crest College
Cedar Crest College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Cedar Crest College at a Glance
Cedar Crest College is a private liberal arts women's college in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 2024, the college enrolled 886 undergraduate and 362 graduate students. Students of all genders can pursue degree programs through the School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE) at the undergraduate and graduate level.
1867
159 years old
$42M
$41.5 million (2022)
1,248
886 undergrad · 362 grad
92
84 acres
Identity
Is Cedar Crest College Worth It?
Cedar Crest College offers moderate value at $18,659/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,460, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — 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 Cedar Crest College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #19 of 148 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #6 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #19 | Cedar Crest College | 47 | $18,659 | $59,460 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Cedar Crest College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in PA.
Best Programs at Cedar Crest College
The highest-earning program at Cedar Crest College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $62,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $28,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Cedar Crest College earns $62,700, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $28,600. 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 $31,250 in median debt vs. $27,766 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,659/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 | $62,700 | $62,700 | $31,250 |
| Social Work | $31,100 | $31,100 | $24,250 |
| Psychology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $27,766 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Allentown, PA
- Student Body
- 834 students
- Admission Rate
- 84%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,659
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,460
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000