Goucher College
Goucher College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Goucher College at a Glance
Goucher College is a private liberal arts college in Towson, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1885 as a nonsectarian women's college in Baltimore's central district, the college is named for pastor and missionary John F. Goucher, who enlisted local leaders of the Methodist Episcopal Church to establish the school's charter. Goucher relocated to its Towson campus in 1953, and became coeducational in 1986, after 101 years as a women's college.
1885
141 years old
$293M
$292.7 million (2024)
1,100
203
287 acres
Identity
Is Goucher College Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Goucher College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,023 — 1% below average — while paying $22,470/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Goucher College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Goucher College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MD
Ranked #53 of 133 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 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #6 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #53 | Goucher College | 35 | $22,470 | $53,023 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Goucher College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in MD.
Best Programs at Goucher College
The highest-earning program at Goucher College is Psychology, General at $26,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Sociology at $20,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Psychology, General graduate from Goucher College earns $26,200, while a Sociology graduate earns $20,800. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Psychology, General graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $25,639 for Sociology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,470/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $20,800 | $20,800 | $25,639 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
- Student Body
- 964 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,470
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,023
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000