Meredith College
Meredith College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Meredith College at a Glance
Meredith College is a private women's liberal arts college and coeducational graduate school in Raleigh, North Carolina. As of 2025, Meredith enrolls approximately 1,600 women in its undergraduate programs and 275 men and women in its graduate programs.
1891
135 years old
$149M
$148.9 million (2025)
1,576
1,309 undergrad · 267 grad
118
Identity
Is Meredith College Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Meredith College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,539 — 4% below average — while paying $22,488/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.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Meredith College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Meredith College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NC
Ranked #35 of 145 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #5 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #6 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #35 | Meredith College | 39 | $22,488 | $51,539 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Meredith College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in NC.
Best Programs at Meredith College
The highest-earning program at Meredith College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $38,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations at $26,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Meredith College earns $38,400, while a Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations graduate earns $26,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $22,000 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,488/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,400 | $38,400 | $22,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $31,800 | $31,800 | $26,616 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,500 | $31,500 | $26,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,200 | $31,200 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,800 | $29,800 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $27,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $26,700 | $26,700 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
- Student Body
- 1,188 students
- Admission Rate
- 74%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,488
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,539
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000