Covenant College
Covenant College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Covenant College at a Glance
Covenant College is a private, liberal arts, Christian college in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, United States, located near Chattanooga, Tennessee. As the college of the Presbyterian Church in America, Covenant teaches subjects from a Reformed theological worldview. Approximately 1,000 students attend Covenant each year.
1955
71 years old
$64M
$64.4 million (2024)
1,030
Identity
Is Covenant College Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Covenant College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,412 — 6% below average — while paying $26,265/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 72% graduation rate means roughly 28% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Covenant College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Covenant College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #37 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #37 | Covenant College | 34 | $26,265 | $50,412 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Covenant College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in GA.
Best Programs at Covenant College
The highest-earning program at Covenant College is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $32,100/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Covenant College earns $32,100, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $32,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduates carry $26,500 in median debt vs. $26,500 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,265/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,100 | $32,100 | $26,500 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lookout Mountain, GA
- Student Body
- 939 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,265
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,412
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500