Spelman College
Spelman College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Spelman College at a Glance
Spelman College is a private, historically Black, women's liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is a founding member of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman awarded its first college degrees in 1901 and is the oldest private historically Black liberal arts institution for women.
1881
145 years old
$567M
$567 million (2025)
2,420
Identity
Is Spelman College Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Spelman College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $59,993 — 12% above average — while paying $38,967/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 77% graduation rate means roughly 23% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Admission is competitive with a 25% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Spelman College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Spelman College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 10 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 | St. Francis College | 43 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| #2 | Ranken Technical College | 39 | $18,795 | $55,955 |
| #3 | University of Northwestern Ohio | 32 | $21,807 | $50,968 |
| #4 | Southern Nazarene University | 31 | $22,084 | $54,951 |
| #5 | Spelman College | 30 | $38,967 | $59,993 |
| #6 | Park University | 23 | $21,032 | $56,309 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Spelman College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Spelman College
The highest-earning program at Spelman College is Economics at $47,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $16,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Spelman College earns $47,400, while a Biology, General graduate earns $16,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $38,967/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $47,400 | $47,400 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,700 | $37,700 | $26,000 |
| International/Global Studies | $32,700 | $32,700 | $24,950 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,700 | $31,700 | $25,460 |
| Psychology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $16,300 | $16,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
- Student Body
- 3,414 students
- Admission Rate
- 25%
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $38,967
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,993
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000