LaGrange College
LaGrange College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
LaGrange College at a Glance
LaGrange College is a private college in LaGrange, Georgia. Founded in 1831 as a female educational institution, LaGrange is the oldest private college in Georgia. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers more than 55 academic and pre-professional programs, including graduate degrees in education, clinical mental health counseling and higher education administration.
1831
195 years old
$50M
$50.2 million (2020)
930
Identity
Is LaGrange College Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, LaGrange College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,745 — 4% below average — while paying $20,875/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 44% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $25,730 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 LaGrange College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How LaGrange College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in GA
Ranked #37 of 83 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 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #3 | Wesleyan College | 43 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| #4 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #5 | Beloit College | 43 | $21,526 | $53,260 |
| #6 | Presbyterian College | 41 | $20,528 | $60,194 |
| #37 | LaGrange College | 27 | $20,875 | $51,745 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of LaGrange College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in GA.
Best Programs at LaGrange College
The highest-earning program at LaGrange College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,400/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from LaGrange College earns $57,400, while a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate earns $57,400. 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 $21,736 in median debt vs. $21,736 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,875/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 | $57,400 | $57,400 | $21,736 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lagrange, GA
- Student Body
- 636 students
- Admission Rate
- 62%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,875
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,745
- Median Student Debt
- $25,730