Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Elizabethtown College at a Glance
Elizabethtown College is a private college in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
1899
127 years old
$117M
$116.65 million (2025)
1,737
123
200 acres
Identity
Is Elizabethtown College Worth It?
Elizabethtown College offers moderate value at $26,598/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $62,399, 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 77% graduation rate means roughly 23% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Elizabethtown College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #28 of 159 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 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #6 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #28 | Elizabethtown College | 45 | $26,598 | $62,399 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Elizabethtown College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 21 in PA.
Best Programs at Elizabethtown College
The highest-earning program at Elizabethtown College is Engineering, General at $56,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $22,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering, General graduate from Elizabethtown College earns $56,300, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $22,600. 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: Engineering, General graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,598/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General | $56,300 | $56,300 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $51,100 | $51,100 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,000 | $45,000 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,800 | $39,800 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,000 | $35,000 | $27,000 |
| Human Services, General | $31,900 | $31,900 | $25,692 |
| Psychology, General | $22,600 | $22,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Elizabethtown, PA
- Student Body
- 1,868 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,598
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,399
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000