King's College
King's College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
King's College at a Glance
King's College is a private Catholic university in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States. It is run by the Congregation of Holy Cross and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It is located within the Diocese of Scranton.
1946
80 years old
$124M
US$124 million
1,945
152
48 acres
Identity
Is King's College Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, King's College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $59,498 — 11% above average — while paying $23,093/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.
The 60% graduation rate means roughly 40% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at King's College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How King's College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #37 of 126 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 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #6 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #37 | King's College | 39 | $23,093 | $59,498 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of King's College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in PA.
Best Programs at King's College
The highest-earning program at King's College is Finance and Financial Management Services at $47,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $26,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from King's College earns $47,500, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $26,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Finance and Financial Management Services graduates carry $26,750 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,093/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,500 | $47,500 | $26,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,800 | $42,800 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,500 | $35,500 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $33,100 | $33,100 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $28,200 | $28,200 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,800 | $27,800 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,600 | $27,600 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,000 | $26,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Student Body
- 1,484 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,093
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,498
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000