Vassar College
Vassar College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Vassar College at a Glance
Vassar College is a private liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, United States. Founded in 1861 by Matthew Vassar, it was the second degree-granting institution of higher education for women in the United States. The college became coeducational in 1969. The college offers BA degrees in more than fifty majors. Vassar College's varsity sports teams, known as the Brewers, play in the NCAA Division III as members of the Liberty League. As of 2023, there are close to 2,500 stu…
1861
165 years old
$1.4B
$1.39 billion (2025)
2,456
297
1,000 acres
Identity
Is Vassar College Worth It?
Vassar College offers moderate value at $39,343/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $71,366, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
With a 2.2-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
With a 90% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Admission is competitive with a 19% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
How Vassar College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #19 of 27 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 | Davidson College | 100 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| #2 | Grinnell College | 78 | $17,648 | $62,830 |
| #3 | Amherst College | 78 | $23,367 | $77,644 |
| #4 | Wellesley College | 76 | $25,496 | $84,803 |
| #5 | Haverford College | 71 | $25,314 | $79,966 |
| #6 | Carleton College | 67 | $25,407 | $75,525 |
| #19 | Vassar College | 41 | $39,343 | $71,366 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Vassar College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in NY.
Best Programs at Vassar College
The highest-earning program at Vassar College is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $60,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is International Relations and National Security Studies at $23,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Vassar College earns $60,400, while a International Relations and National Security Studies graduate earns $23,500. 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: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $12,000 in median debt vs. $19,000 for International Relations and National Security Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $39,343/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $60,400 | $60,400 | $12,000 |
| Economics | $50,200 | $50,200 | $17,053 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,500 | $34,500 | $18,957 |
| Biology, General | $32,400 | $32,400 | $13,620 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,200 | $32,200 | $15,500 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $30,700 | $30,700 | $19,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $17,983 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $24,700 | $24,700 | $19,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,000 | $24,000 | $17,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $23,500 | $23,500 | $19,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Poughkeepsie, NY
- Student Body
- 2,444 students
- Admission Rate
- 19%
- Graduation Rate
- 90%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $39,343
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $71,366
- Median Student Debt
- $18,625