Ripon College
Ripon College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ripon College at a Glance
Ripon College is a private liberal arts college in Ripon, Wisconsin, United States. As of 2024, the college enrolled around 754 undergraduate students. Nearly 80% of students were Wisconsin residents.
1851
175 years old
$108M
$108.1 million (2021)
754
250 acres
Identity
Is Ripon College Worth It?
Ripon College offers moderate value at $20,216/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,902, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 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.
How Ripon College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #16 of 90 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #5 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #16 | Ripon College | 42 | $20,216 | $54,902 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Ripon College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in WI.
Best Programs at Ripon College
The highest-earning program at Ripon College is Business/Commerce, General at $41,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $21,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business/Commerce, General graduate from Ripon College earns $41,800, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $21,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business/Commerce, General graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $26,668 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,216/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/Commerce, General | $41,800 | $41,800 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $31,300 | $31,300 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,800 | $30,800 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,500 | $21,500 | $26,668 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Ripon, WI
- Student Body
- 688 students
- Admission Rate
- 80%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,216
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,902
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000