Gettysburg College
Gettysburg College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Gettysburg College at a Glance
Gettysburg College is a private liberal arts college in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1832, the 225-acre (91 ha) campus is adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield. In fall 2025, the college enrolled 2,086 students.
1832
194 years old
$459M
$459.2 million (2025)
2,086
200 acres
Identity
Is Gettysburg College Worth It?
Gettysburg College offers moderate value at $31,490/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $71,517, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 83% graduation rate means roughly 17% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Gettysburg College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #4 of 20 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 | St Olaf College | 57 | $23,874 | $65,543 |
| #2 | Union College | 53 | $34,561 | $88,604 |
| #3 | Bryn Mawr College | 49 | $31,759 | $75,217 |
| #4 | Gettysburg College | 47 | $31,490 | $71,517 |
| #5 | Furman University | 45 | $30,308 | $68,635 |
| #6 | Connecticut College | 43 | $36,175 | $75,001 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Gettysburg College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in PA.
Best Programs at Gettysburg College
The highest-earning program at Gettysburg College is Economics at $55,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $33,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Gettysburg College earns $55,100, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $33,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $22,989 in median debt vs. $21,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $31,490/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $55,100 | $55,100 | $22,989 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,400 | $46,400 | $21,375 |
| Political Science and Government | $39,400 | $39,400 | $23,000 |
| Psychology, General | $34,300 | $34,300 | $22,616 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,500 | $33,500 | $21,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Gettysburg, PA
- Student Body
- 2,099 students
- Admission Rate
- 39%
- Graduation Rate
- 83%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $31,490
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $71,517
- Median Student Debt
- $26,999