Hamline University
Hamline University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hamline University at a Glance
Hamline University is a private university in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1854, Hamline is the oldest university in Minnesota, and is one of five Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities. While the University of Minnesota had its charter a month before Hamline, Hamline University held classes first and is recognized as the oldest because of this. The university is named after Bishop Leonidas Lent Hamline of the United Methodist Church. As of 2017, Hamline had 2,117 undergradua…
1854
172 years old
$101M
$100.6 million (2020)
2,117
178
77 acres
Identity
Is Hamline University Worth It?
Hamline University offers moderate value at $20,744/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,106, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 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.
How Hamline University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MN
Ranked #28 of 162 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #28 | Hamline University | 44 | $20,744 | $61,106 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hamline University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in MN.
Best Programs at Hamline University
The highest-earning program at Hamline University is Accounting and Related Services at $52,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $25,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Hamline University earns $52,300, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $25,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,744/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,300 | $52,300 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,300 | $44,300 | $21,500 |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $41,500 | $41,500 | $20,519 |
| Marketing | $38,100 | $38,100 | $23,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,700 | $36,700 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $34,100 | $34,100 | $24,525 |
| Biology, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,700 | $30,700 | $23,127 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,400 | $30,400 | $25,000 |
| Human Biology | $30,100 | $30,100 | $26,000 |
| Sociology | $28,800 | $28,800 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $23,995 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,200 | $26,200 | $23,510 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $25,800 | $25,800 | $23,000 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Paul, MN
- Student Body
- 1,776 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,744
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,106
- Median Student Debt
- $23,770