Haverford College
Haverford College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Haverford College at a Glance
Haverford College is a private liberal arts college in Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded as a men's college in 1833 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Haverford began accepting non-Quakers in 1849 and women in 1980.
1833
193 years old
$755M
$755.25 million (2025)
1,435
165
216 acres
Identity
Is Haverford College Worth It?
Haverford College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $25,314/year, it's priced 24% above average, while graduates go on to earn $79,966 — 49% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 90% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 12% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $13,621 is manageable at just 17% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Haverford College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Haverford College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #9 of 16 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 | Bowdoin College | 100 | $14,398 | $82,735 |
| #2 | Williams College | 100 | $17,716 | $88,665 |
| #3 | Davidson College | 100 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| #4 | Pomona College | 94 | $19,285 | $77,779 |
| #5 | Washington and Lee University | 94 | $23,781 | $94,810 |
| #6 | Swarthmore College | 81 | $23,149 | $80,257 |
| #9 | Haverford College | 71 | $25,314 | $79,966 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Haverford College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in PA.
Best Programs at Haverford College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Haverford College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,314/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
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Haverford, PA
- Student Body
- 1,430 students
- Admission Rate
- 12%
- Graduation Rate
- 90%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,314
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $79,966
- Median Student Debt
- $13,621