Rhodes College
Rhodes College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Rhodes College at a Glance
Rhodes College is a private liberal arts college in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), it is a member of the Associated Colleges of the South and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Rhodes enrolls about 2,000 students, and its Collegiate Gothic campus sits on a 123-acre wooded site in Memphis' historic Midtown neighborhood.
1848
178 years old
$449M
$448.5 million (2025)
1,952
1,937 undergrad · 16 grad
186
123 acres
Identity
Is Rhodes College Worth It?
Rhodes College offers moderate value at $28,585/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $66,651, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 83% graduation rate means roughly 17% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Rhodes College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 32 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 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #3 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #4 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #5 | Rhodes College | 48 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
| #6 | St Lawrence University | 47 | $28,651 | $67,258 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Rhodes College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in TN.
Best Programs at Rhodes College
The highest-earning program at Rhodes College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $42,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $24,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Rhodes College earns $42,800, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $24,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $24,250 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,585/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 | $42,800 | $42,800 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,600 | $35,600 | $19,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,800 | $30,800 | $23,125 |
| Anthropology | $30,500 | $30,500 | N/A |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $29,600 | $29,600 | $23,923 |
| Psychology, General | $24,000 | $24,000 | $24,250 |
Similar Colleges in TN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Memphis, TN
- Student Body
- 1,836 students
- Admission Rate
- 50%
- Graduation Rate
- 83%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,585
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $66,651
- Median Student Debt
- $21,761