Earlham College
Earlham College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Earlham College at a Glance
Earlham College is a private liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana, United States. The college was established in 1847 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and has a strong focus on Quaker values such as integrity, a commitment to peace and social justice, mutual respect, and community decision-making. Earlham School of Religion is its affiliated graduate seminary.
1847
179 years old
$428M
$427.8 million (2025)
677
800 acres
Identity
Is Earlham College Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Earlham College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,797 — 6% below average — while paying $24,714/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% 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 Earlham College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Earlham College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IN
Ranked #17 of 81 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 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #3 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #4 | Lycoming College | 44 | $19,140 | $56,210 |
| #5 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #6 | Louisiana Christian University | 42 | $13,113 | $51,700 |
| #17 | Earlham College | 35 | $24,714 | $50,797 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Earlham College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in IN.
Best Programs at Earlham College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Earlham College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,714/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
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Richmond, IN
- Student Body
- 670 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,714
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,797
- Median Student Debt
- $23,488