Hartwick College
Hartwick College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hartwick College at a Glance
Hartwick College is a private liberal arts college in Oneonta, New York. The institution's origin is rooted in the founding of Hartwick Seminary in 1797 through the will of John Christopher Hartwick. In 1927, the seminary became a four-year college and moved from Hartwick to its Oneonta location.
Is Hartwick College Worth It?
At a value score of 24/100, Hartwick College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $61,107 — 14% above average — while paying $31,320/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 Hartwick College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Hartwick College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #87 of 113 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #6 | Wabash College | 55 | $24,336 | $69,952 |
| #87 | Hartwick College | 24 | $31,320 | $61,107 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hartwick College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in NY.
Best Programs at Hartwick College
The highest-earning program at Hartwick College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $18,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Hartwick College earns $58,900, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $18,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $31,320/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,900 | $58,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $29,100 | $29,100 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $28,800 | $28,800 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,000 | $28,000 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $18,000 | $18,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Oneonta, NY
- Student Body
- 1,087 students
- Admission Rate
- 70%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $31,320
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,107
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000