Hiram College
Hiram College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hiram College at a Glance
Hiram College is a private liberal arts college in Hiram, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1850 as the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute by Amos Sutton Hayden and other members of the Christian Church. The college is nonsectarian and coeducational. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Among its alumni is the 20th president of the United States, James A. Garfield, who also served as an instructor and principal at Hiram.
1850
176 years old
1,061
1,026 undergrad · 35 grad
104
Identity
Is Hiram College Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Hiram College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,311 — 1% above average — while paying $21,058/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% 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.
With a 94% 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 $27,000 representing 50% 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 Hiram College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Hiram College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #33 of 111 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 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #6 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #33 | Hiram College | 37 | $21,058 | $54,311 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hiram College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in OH.
Best Programs at Hiram College
The highest-earning program at Hiram College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $25,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Hiram College earns $57,300, while a Biology, General graduate earns $25,500. 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 Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,058/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 | $57,300 | $57,300 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,700 | $39,700 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,700 | $36,700 | $27,245 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hiram, OH
- Student Body
- 777 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,058
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,311
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000