Ursinus College
Ursinus College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ursinus College at a Glance
Ursinus College is a private liberal arts college in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1869 and occupies a 170-acre (0.69 km2) campus. Ursinus College's forerunner was the Freeland Seminary founded in 1848. It enrolls about 1,500 undergraduate students.
1869
157 years old
$165M
$165 million (2025)
1,502
397
170 acres
Identity
Is Ursinus College Worth It?
Ursinus College offers moderate value at $30,536/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $73,721, 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 75% graduation rate means roughly 25% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Ursinus College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #12 of 44 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Immaculata University | 53 | $24,258 | $75,701 |
| #5 | Wheaton College | 51 | $26,975 | $63,756 |
| #6 | Linfield University | 50 | $26,536 | $78,638 |
| #12 | Ursinus College | 45 | $30,536 | $73,721 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Ursinus College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in PA.
Best Programs at Ursinus College
The highest-earning program at Ursinus College is Economics at $44,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $23,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Ursinus College earns $44,300, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $23,800. 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 Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,536/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 | $44,300 | $44,300 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $31,400 | $31,400 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,800 | $23,800 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Collegeville, PA
- Student Body
- 1,491 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,536
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $73,721
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000