Livingstone College
Livingstone College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Livingstone College Worth It?
At a value score of 16/100, Livingstone College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $32,600 — 39% below average — while paying $13,479/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 26% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 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 $31,125 representing 95% 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 Livingstone College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Livingstone College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #25 of 41 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 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #4 | United Tribes Technical College | 49 | $3,569 | $25,292 |
| #5 | Universidad Central de Bayamon | 47 | $4,827 | $25,021 |
| #6 | Boricua College | 43 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| #25 | Livingstone College | 16 | $13,479 | $32,600 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Livingstone College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NC.
Best Programs at Livingstone College
The highest-earning program at Livingstone College is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $24,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Social Work at $14,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate from Livingstone College earns $24,200, while a Social Work graduate earns $14,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates carry $33,000 in median debt vs. $44,250 for Social Work.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,479/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $24,200 | $24,200 | $33,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $19,600 | $19,600 | $34,500 |
| Social Work | $14,500 | $14,500 | $44,250 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Salisbury, NC
- Student Body
- 924 students
- Admission Rate
- 59%
- Graduation Rate
- 26%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,479
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $32,600
- Median Student Debt
- $31,125