Thiel College
Thiel College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Thiel College at a Glance
Thiel College is a private college in Greenville, Pennsylvania, United States. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is one of the smaller colleges in the region with about 100 full-time and part-time faculty members.
1866
160 years old
790
Identity
Is Thiel College Worth It?
At a value score of 26/100, Thiel College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,714 — 8% below average — while paying $22,347/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 54% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Thiel College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Thiel College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #91 of 155 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 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Coe College | 48 | $18,745 | $57,125 |
| #5 | Illinois College | 45 | $18,298 | $52,575 |
| #6 | Saint Vincent College | 45 | $23,510 | $59,982 |
| #91 | Thiel College | 26 | $22,347 | $49,714 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Thiel College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in PA.
Best Programs at Thiel College
The highest-earning program at Thiel College is Accounting and Related Services at $42,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $19,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Thiel College earns $42,800, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $19,300. 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: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,347/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,800 | $42,800 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,700 | $40,700 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,900 | $29,900 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $27,200 | $27,200 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $19,300 | $19,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Greenville, PA
- Student Body
- 788 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,347
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,714
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000