Hilbert College
Hilbert College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hilbert College at a Glance
Hilbert College is a private Franciscan college in Hamburg, New York. The college is named after Colette Hilbert of the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Joseph, who founded the school in 1957 to train teachers. Hilbert College enrolls approximately 800 students and grants undergraduate and master's degrees.
1957
69 years old
$8M
$7.5 million (2022)
973
939 undergrad · 34 grad
38
Identity
Is Hilbert College Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, Hilbert College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,309 — 10% below average — while paying $22,723/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% 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.
With a 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $24,750 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Hilbert College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Hilbert College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #49 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #49 | Hilbert College | 28 | $22,723 | $48,309 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hilbert College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in NY.
Best Programs at Hilbert College
The highest-earning program at Hilbert College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $29,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $27,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Hilbert College earns $29,600, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $27,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,732 in median debt vs. $26,398 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,723/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 Administration, Management and Operations | $29,600 | $29,600 | $23,732 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,200 | $27,200 | $26,398 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hamburg, NY
- Student Body
- 921 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,723
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,309
- Median Student Debt
- $24,750