Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hampden-Sydney College at a Glance
Hampden–Sydney College (H–SC) is a private liberal arts college for men in Hampden Sydney, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1775, it is the oldest privately chartered college in the Southern United States, the tenth-oldest college in the US, the last college founded before the American Declaration of Independence, and the oldest of the four-year, all-male liberal arts colleges remaining in the United States. Hampden–Sydney College is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the …
1775
251 years old
$280M
$280.4 million (2025)
946
1,300 acres
Identity
Is Hampden-Sydney College Worth It?
Hampden-Sydney College offers moderate value at $22,400/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $67,640, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Hampden-Sydney College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 18 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 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #2 | College of Saint Mary | 49 | $16,590 | $54,338 |
| #3 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #4 | Hampden-Sydney College | 48 | $22,400 | $67,640 |
| #5 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #6 | Laboure College of Healthcare | 42 | $36,863 | $62,200 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hampden-Sydney College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Hampden-Sydney College
The highest-earning program at Hampden-Sydney College is Business/Managerial Economics at $46,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Economics at $39,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business/Managerial Economics graduate from Hampden-Sydney College earns $46,500, while a Economics graduate earns $39,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business/Managerial Economics graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Economics.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,400/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics | $46,500 | $46,500 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $39,300 | $39,300 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hampden-Sydney, VA
- Student Body
- 946 students
- Admission Rate
- 41%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,400
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,640
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000