Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Johns Hopkins University at a Glance
Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Incorporated in 1867 and opened in 1876 based on the European research institution model, Johns Hopkins is considered to be the first research university in the U.S.
1876
150 years old
$13.1B
$13.06 billion ( FY 2024)
30,210
6,356 undergrad · 23,854 grad
140 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Johns Hopkins University
Official admissions pageJanuary 3
November 1 (Early Decision I) / January 3 (Early Decision II)
$70
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Fee waiver
Is Johns Hopkins University Worth It?
Johns Hopkins University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $18,809/year net price and $87,555 median earnings, graduates earn 4.7× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 94% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 6%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
Median student debt of $10,250 is manageable at just 12% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Johns Hopkins University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Johns Hopkins University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 20 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 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #2 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #3 | University of Chicago | 100 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| #4 | Colby College | 100 | $17,180 | $80,490 |
| #5 | Harvard University | 100 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
| #6 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Johns Hopkins University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Johns Hopkins University
The highest-earning program at Johns Hopkins University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $92,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $19,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Johns Hopkins University earns $92,700, while a Music graduate earns $19,500. 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: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $12,821 in median debt vs. $23,250 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,809/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $92,700 | $92,700 | $12,821 |
| Mathematics | $78,600 | $78,600 | $15,500 |
| Economics | $70,800 | $70,800 | $18,684 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $69,700 | $69,700 | $15,263 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,400 | $69,400 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $69,000 | $69,000 | $19,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $57,700 | $57,700 | $16,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $48,500 | $48,500 | $15,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $44,700 | $44,700 | $14,745 |
| Public Health | $44,200 | $44,200 | $13,500 |
| Psychology, General | $35,500 | $35,500 | $13,491 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $32,600 | $32,600 | $15,224 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $31,300 | $31,300 | $15,750 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $30,500 | $30,500 | $13,438 |
| Music | $19,500 | $19,500 | $23,250 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
- Student Body
- 5,693 students
- Admission Rate
- 6%
- Graduation Rate
- 94%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,809
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $87,555
- Median Student Debt
- $10,250