Monmouth College
Monmouth College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Monmouth College at a Glance
Monmouth College is a private Presbyterian liberal arts college in Monmouth, Illinois, United States. It enrolls 713 students in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs including a four-year nursing program and four-year electrical engineering and mechanical engineering programs, which became ABET-accredited in 2025.
1853
173 years old
$145M
$145.4 million (2025)
727
75
112 acres
Identity
Is Monmouth College Worth It?
Monmouth College offers moderate value at $17,133/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $51,110, which is 5% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 53% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Monmouth College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 102 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #4 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #13 | Monmouth College | 46 | $17,133 | $51,110 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Monmouth College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IL.
Best Programs at Monmouth College
The highest-earning program at Monmouth College is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $36,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $27,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Monmouth College earns $36,100, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $27,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,133/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,100 | $36,100 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,100 | $33,100 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,300 | $28,300 | $24,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,300 | $27,300 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Monmouth, IL
- Student Body
- 702 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,133
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,110
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000