Coe College
Coe College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Coe College at a Glance
Coe College is a private liberal arts college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States. It was founded in 1851 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The college is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest and the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities.
1851
175 years old
$103M
$103 million (as of 2022)
1,278
111
70 acres
Identity
Is Coe College Worth It?
Coe College offers moderate value at $18,745/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,125, 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.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Coe College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #6 of 109 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 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #2 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #3 | Wabash College | 55 | $24,336 | $69,952 |
| #4 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #5 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #6 | Coe College | 48 | $18,745 | $57,125 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Coe College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in IA.
Best Programs at Coe College
The highest-earning program at Coe College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $26,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Coe College earns $58,400, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $26,900. 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 $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,745/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 | $58,400 | $58,400 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,000 | $39,000 | $24,441 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,700 | $35,700 | $26,313 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,800 | $30,800 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Student Body
- 1,164 students
- Admission Rate
- 64%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,745
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,125
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000