Hope College
Hope College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Hope College at a Glance
Hope College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, United States. Dutch immigrants originally opened it in 1851 as the Pioneer School, four years after the community was first settled. The first freshman college class matriculated in 1862, and Hope received its state charter in 1866. Hope College is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and retains a Christian atmosphere. Its 120-acre (49 ha) campus is adjacent to the downtown commercial district and has been…
1866
160 years old
$325M
$325 million (2025)
3,132
125 acres
Identity
Is Hope College Worth It?
Hope College offers moderate value at $27,182/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,427, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Hope College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 102 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 Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #5 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #6 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #23 | Hope College | 44 | $27,182 | $58,427 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Hope College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MI.
Best Programs at Hope College
The highest-earning program at Hope College is Engineering, General at $61,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $21,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering, General graduate from Hope College earns $61,400, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $21,600. 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: Engineering, General graduates carry $26,267 in median debt vs. $24,979 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,182/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General | $61,400 | $61,400 | $26,267 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,700 | $57,700 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,700 | $56,700 | $24,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,000 | $41,000 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,100 | $39,100 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,700 | $38,700 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,100 | $37,100 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,700 | $30,700 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $28,800 | $28,800 | $26,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $25,400 | $25,400 | $26,720 |
| Psychology, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,300 | $25,300 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $24,979 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Holland, MI
- Student Body
- 3,288 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,182
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,427
- Median Student Debt
- $26,800