Agnes Scott College
Decatur, Georgia · Private Nonprofit · 62.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 45/100 · Below Average Value
Agnes Scott College is a small, historically women's liberal arts institution near Atlanta, Georgia, enrolling 836 students. Its ROI score of 45 places it in the Below Average Value tier—a sobering figure given a $50,604 annual tuition. The average net price of $24,754 produces a four-year cost estimate of $99,016. Six-year median earnings of $33,200 are among the lowest in this cohort for a private liberal arts college, and ten-year median earnings of $56,274 suggest gradual career growth, likely aided by graduate school attendance. The payback period of 11.2 years is long. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.806 is high, reflecting median debt of $26,749 against relatively modest early-career wages. The repayment rate at year three is just 66.4%, signaling financial stress for a meaningful share of borrowers. The completion rate of 70.7% is a genuine institutional strength—well above the sector average for small private colleges. Pell Grant recipients represent 38.5% of the student body, indicating the college serves a substantial share of high-need students. Agnes Scott's Atlanta location and historically strong alumnae network may generate outcomes not fully captured by six-year earnings data, particularly for graduates who pursue advanced degrees.
Agnes Scott College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $50,604/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $50,604/yr |
| Average net price | $24,754/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $99,016 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,274 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,749 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $284 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 70.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 836 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Agnes Scott College is $50,604/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $24,754/year, or roughly $99,016 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $21,467/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,054/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,749 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $284 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $56,274 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.81 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,467 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,956 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,697 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,194 |
| $110,001+ | $30,054 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students with family incomes below $30,000 pay a net price of $21,467 per year—about $86,000 over four years. Against median six-year earnings of $33,200, this is a difficult financial proposition. Low-income students who attend Agnes Scott need exceptional merit or graduate school trajectories that justify the investment.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($30,001–$75,000) face net prices of $21,956–$23,697. The relatively narrow range reflects Agnes Scott's aid structure. Families paying around $22,000–$24,000 per year at an institution with a 66.4% repayment rate face meaningful financial risk. HBCU peer options in Atlanta may offer comparable liberal arts outcomes with better aid packages.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($75,001 and above) pay $25,194–$30,054. For families who can finance attendance without heavy borrowing, Agnes Scott's alumnae network, Atlanta proximity, and completion rate provide real intangible value. The financial case strengthens considerably when debt is minimized.
Earnings by Major
Top 5 most popular majors at Agnes Scott College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Public Health | $63,621 | - |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $32,105 | - |
| International Relations | $62,605 | - |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,587 | C |
| Psychology | $24,277 | F |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Public Health
Public Health is the highest-earning tracked program with four-year earnings of $63,621 and 19 graduates. No debt data is available, limiting a full grade assessment. The earnings trajectory suggests students pursue graduate work in public health—MPH programs are common, and the Atlanta metro's CDC and NGO ecosystem provides strong employment for this pathway.
International Relations
International Relations (14 graduates) shows four-year earnings of $62,605 with no debt data reported. Outcomes are above the institutional median but require context: early-career wages in this field are typically low, and graduate school attendance is common. Students considering this path should model additional education costs explicitly.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business (19 graduates) shows year-one earnings of $32,105 but no four-year or debt data. The early-career earnings figure is modest relative to the institution's net price. Agnes Scott's Atlanta location provides networking access to corporate employers, but students expecting business career outcomes should compare options at larger regional universities with more developed career programs.
Psychology
Psychology earns an F grade with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.112. Year-one earnings of $24,277 with median debt of $27,000 represent the weakest financial outcome tracked at Agnes Scott. Most psychology graduates who use this as a pre-graduate path should factor in additional graduate debt on top of undergraduate loans before committing to this trajectory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 63.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 64.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 73.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 62.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 540-635 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 620-695 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-31 |
| Enrollment | 836 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,604 |
Agnes Scott admits 62.2% of applicants. SAT math ranges from 540 to 635, SAT reading from 620 to 695, and ACT composites fall between 25 and 31. The college is moderately selective with a strong humanities orientation. Admission rates reflect Agnes Scott's recognition as a small, mission-driven institution with a distinctive intellectual culture.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Against peers like Berry College and Clark Atlanta University, Agnes Scott's ROI score of 45 reflects the tension between high aspirational positioning and modest earnings outcomes. The 70.7% completion rate is a genuine strength. However, the 66.4% three-year repayment rate and 0.806 debt-to-earnings ratio lag peers at similar net price points. Agnes Scott competes on culture and network rather than financial efficiency.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes Scott College (this school) | 45 | $24,754 | $56,274 |
| Bay Path University | 52 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| Sweet Briar College | 44 | $17,758 | $51,943 |
| Meredith College | 43 | $22,488 | $51,539 |
| Brenau University | 41 | $18,924 | $54,003 |
| Chatham University | 39 | $29,954 | $52,410 |
Who Thrives Here
Agnes Scott is best suited for academically motivated women who are committed to a liberal arts education and have a concrete plan for post-graduation—whether graduate school, public health, or international affairs. Strong merit aid that brings net price below $20,000 dramatically improves the financial case. Students without a defined post-graduation path or who carry significant loans face real financial risk given six-year earnings of $33,200.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Agnes Scott College is mixed. At $24,754 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $56,274 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.2 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include a 70.7% graduation rate. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $26,749 against $56,274 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.