Albion College
Albion, Michigan · Private Nonprofit · 80.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 65/100 · Fair Value
Albion College earns a 65 ROI score and a Fair Value tier rating, an above-average outcome among small Midwestern liberal arts colleges driven by strong earnings growth and aggressive aid generosity. Sticker tuition is a steep $56,950 but Albion's net price drops dramatically to $14,301 -- a 75 percent discount that pushes four-year cost to just $57,204, far below most private peers. Median earnings six years out are $37,600, climbing impressively to $58,799 by year ten -- producing a 41.6 percent earnings premium and an 8.3-year payback period (a 73 sub-score). The 79.7 percent five-year repayment rate is strong (70 sub-score). Completion at 61.6 percent is solid for a moderately selective small private. The notable weakness is a 0.718 debt-to-earnings ratio -- median debt of $27,000 against $37,600 early-career earnings is heavy, contributing to the low debt sub-score (25). Strong accounting and finance programs anchor the portfolio. Albion is a credible Midwestern liberal arts value once aid is factored in.
Albion College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $56,950/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $56,950/yr |
| Average net price | $14,301/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $57,204 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,799 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 61.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,300 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Albion College is $56,950/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,301/year, or roughly $57,204 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $10,036/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,368/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $58,799 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.72 - 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 | $10,036 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,772 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,085 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,656 |
| $110,001+ | $24,368 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Lowest-income families pay $10,036 net annually -- with the $30,001-$48,000 bracket actually paying slightly less at $9,772, a mild inversion. These are excellent net prices for a private liberal arts college, reflecting Albion's strong institutional grant-aid commitment to lower-income students. Roughly $40,000 over four years for Pell-eligible students is workable against $37K-$59K career earnings.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income brackets pay $9,772 ($30K-$48K) -- the cheapest band on campus -- $12,085 ($48K-$75K), and $16,656 ($75K-$110K). The progression is reasonable, with all middle-income tiers paying less than typical state-flagship out-of-state rates. Albion is genuinely competitive with Michigan's strong public university system for these families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families pay $24,368 net annually, or roughly $97K over four years -- moderate for a liberal arts private. With median 10-year earnings of $58,799 and accounting/finance graduates earning meaningfully above that median, the math works for full-pay families whose students enter strong programs. Wealthier families can absorb the cost premium for the small-college experience and outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 9 most popular majors at Albion College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $61,092 | F |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $49,451 | D |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $23,906 | F |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $53,210 | C |
| Economics | $66,048 | C |
| Finance and Financial Management | $81,887 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,300 | C |
| International Relations | $39,066 | C |
| Accounting | $78,221 | B |
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.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance is one of Albion's flagship-earnings programs with 16 graduates, posting first-year earnings of $59,926 climbing to $81,887 by year four. Median debt of $24,979 produces a 0.417 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B ROI grade. Career paths flow into Detroit-area corporate finance, Michigan banking, and broader Midwestern financial services employers. This is the program where Albion's value proposition is clearest.
Accounting
Accounting graduates 10 students with $62,266 first-year and $78,221 four-year earnings -- exceptional outcomes for a small liberal arts college. Median debt of $27,000 produces a 0.434 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B ROI grade. The path to CPA licensure plus access to Detroit-metro public accounting firms drives strong placement.
Economics
Economics graduates 17 students with $48,756 first-year and $66,048 four-year earnings. Median debt of $27,000 produces a 0.554 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C ROI grade. Career paths blend financial-services, consulting, and graduate-school pipelines. Outcomes are solid but not standout.
Biology
Biology graduates 35 students -- one of Albion's larger cohorts -- with weak first-year earnings of $20,713 climbing to $61,092 by year four. The four-year trajectory is strong but median debt of $23,250 against $20,713 first-year earnings produces a punishing 1.122 debt-to-earnings ratio and an F ROI grade. The pattern reflects students delaying earnings to attend medical, dental, or graduate school. Students entering biology should plan their full education trajectory and budget for the gap years.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology graduates 31 students with $30,314 first-year and $49,451 four-year earnings against median debt of $27,000 -- producing a 0.891 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D ROI grade. Most strong career paths in this field require graduate study (PT, OT, athletic training); the bachelor's is best treated as a stepping-stone.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 80.7% |
| Enrollment | 1,300 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 47.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,469 |
Albion admits 80.7 percent of applicants -- broadly accessible. SAT and ACT mid-50 percent ranges are not reported in current Scorecard data, suggesting the college has moved to a test-optional or test-blind admissions policy. The 61.6 percent completion rate is solid for a moderately accessible small private, reflecting the persistence benefits of a tightly-knit residential liberal arts community.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Albion's nearest peers include Adrian College and Alma College -- the two most directly comparable Michigan liberal arts privates -- alongside AdventHealth University, Westmont College, and Walla Walla University. Within this peer set, Albion's 65 ROI score is competitive with Alma (a similar small Michigan liberal arts college) and significantly stronger than Adrian. Westmont and Walla Walla serve Christian-college markets with different mission profiles.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albion College (this school) | 65 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| Westmont College | 65 | $29,053 | $64,778 |
| AdventHealth University | 63 | $30,135 | $72,282 |
| Walla Walla University | 62 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
| Alma College | 50 | $20,694 | $54,742 |
| Adrian College | 39 | $25,368 | $55,504 |
Who Thrives Here
Albion fits Michigan and surrounding-state students seeking a small Midwestern residential liberal arts college with strong business and pre-professional pipelines. Enrollment is small at 1,300 undergraduates and Pell rate runs 47.5 percent -- one of the higher Pell rates among private liberal arts colleges, reflecting Albion's commitment to socioeconomic accessibility. Strongest student outcomes accrue to accounting and finance graduates (B grades) along with economics. Students entering the natural sciences should plan for graduate school given soft early-career earnings in those fields.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Albion College offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $14,301 per year leads to $57,204 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $58,799 a decade out. The payback period of 8.3 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $27,000 against $58,799 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.