Ferrum College
Ferrum College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Ferrum College Worth It?
At a value score of 17/100, Ferrum College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,296 — 18% below average — while paying $20,082/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 30% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 61% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Ferrum College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Ferrum College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in VA
Ranked #92 of 117 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 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #3 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #6 | Aquinas College | 48 | $16,626 | $49,584 |
| #92 | Ferrum College | 17 | $20,082 | $44,296 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Ferrum College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in VA.
Best Programs at Ferrum College
The highest-earning program at Ferrum College is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at $27,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $26,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduate from Ferrum College earns $27,100, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $26,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduates carry $30,272 in median debt vs. $30,750 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,082/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 Subject Areas | $27,100 | $27,100 | $30,272 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,700 | $26,700 | $30,750 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Ferrum, VA
- Student Body
- 699 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,082
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,296
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000