Berry College
Mount Berry, Georgia · Private Nonprofit · 64.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 48/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Berry College scores 48 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. With $41,686 sticker tuition and a net price of $22,320, Berry is a private college in Mount Berry, GA. Average 6-year earnings of $32,300 and a 12.2-year payback period are the primary weaknesses. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 and median debt of $23,250 are elevated relative to outcomes. Registered Nursing (24 graduates, $75,343 year-one, ROI grade B+) is the clear outlier and the institution's strongest financial return. Natural Resources Conservation (11 graduates, $51,465 year-four, ROI grade B) is solid. Below that, program outcomes deteriorate: Psychology (45 graduates, $25,831 year-one, ROI grade D), Kinesiology (41 graduates, $25,091 year-one, ROI grade D), and Genetics (50 graduates, $33,258 year-one, ROI grade D) are the highest-volume programs by graduate count and all carry D grades. Berry is known for its work program, beautiful campus, and strong student character formation - factors the ROI score does not capture.
Berry College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $41,686/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $41,686/yr |
| Average net price | $22,320/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $89,280 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,800 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 69.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,245 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $41,686/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $22,320/year, or roughly $89,280 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $18,189/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,116/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $23,250, which works out to about $246 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($32,300) and comes to 0.72, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
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 | $18,189 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,935 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,283 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,665 |
| $110,001+ | $28,116 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $18,189 per year. Four years at $18,189 totals $72,756. Against average 6-year earnings of $32,300 and a 12.2-year payback period, this is a difficult financial case for low-income students - especially those in the college's dominant programs (genetics, psychology, kinesiology). For nursing students who complete, $18,189 annually is a manageable cost given $75,343 year-one nursing earnings. The work program reduces some financial burden but does not fundamentally change the math.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $19,283 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $20,665. Middle-income families need to make program-specific enrollment decisions, since program figures differ at this net price.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $28,116 per year, totaling $112,464 over four years. At a 12.2-year payback for median-earnings graduates, full-pay at Berry is only financially justifiable for students entering nursing or business. Full-pay families considering Berry should treat the campus experience and mission as primary motivations and enter with clear-eyed expectations about earnings in natural science and social science fields.
Earnings by Major
Top 9 most popular majors at Berry College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Genetics | $48,958 | D |
| Psychology | $45,943 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $54,278 | D |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $50,593 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,160 | C+ |
| Registered Nursing | $83,008 | B+ |
| Marketing | $79,602 | C |
| Teacher Education | $50,413 | C |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $51,465 | 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.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (24 graduates) is Berry's top ROI program: $75,343 year-one, $83,008 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.348 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $26,250 at $75k year-one is a 0.35 ratio - manageable. For Berry, nursing graduates stand apart from the rest of the program portfolio by a large margin. The B+ grade reflects Georgia nursing salaries that are competitive but below coastal markets.
Genetics
Genetics (50 graduates - Berry's highest-volume program) earns $33,258 year-one and $48,958 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.739 (ROI grade D). Median debt of $24,569 at $33,258 year-one is 74% of annual income - a difficult start. Berry's genetics program likely funnels students toward graduate or medical school; those who enter the workforce directly at year-one face the D-grade outcome. The four-year figure of $48,958 shows limited near-term recovery for industry entrants.
Psychology
Psychology (45 graduates) earns $25,831 year-one and $45,943 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.842 (ROI grade D). Median debt of $21,750 at $25,831 year-one is 84% of annual income. Year-four recovery to $45,943 is slow. At Berry's net price of $22,320 annually, psychology represents one of the most financially strained outcomes on campus - $89,280 total cost for a $25,831 starting salary.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology and Exercise Science (41 graduates) earns $25,091 year-one and $54,278 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.994 (ROI grade D). Median debt of $24,931 at $25,091 year-one is 99% of annual income - essentially a full year's salary owed in debt at graduation. The four-year recovery to $54,278 takes significant time. Kinesiology graduates who pursue physical therapy, athletic training, or exercise science typically need graduate credentials for the upper-income range.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.6% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.7% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 73.8% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.3% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Berry College’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 64.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 545-650 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 580-680 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-28 |
| Enrollment | 2,245 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 26.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,319 |
At 64.0%, Berry is moderately accessible. SAT 545-650 Math and 580-680 Reading, ACT 22-28, reflect a mid-range academic profile. Admission is not the primary concern - at Berry's net price of $22,320 with average earnings of $32,300, the enrollment decision should focus on program selection and whether a student's intended field produces earnings commensurate with the total cost. Nursing applicants face program-specific admissions requirements beyond the general threshold.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berry College (this school) | 48 | $22,320 | $53,800 |
| University of Charleston | 52 | $22,107 | $55,774 |
| Bob Jones University | 47 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| Florida Southern College | 46 | $28,551 | $55,294 |
| Agnes Scott College | 45 | $24,754 | $56,274 |
| Clark Atlanta University | 14 | $37,702 | $42,712 |
Who Thrives Here
Berry College admits 64.0% of applicants with SAT ranges of 545-650 Math and 580-680 Reading; ACT 22-28. At 2,245 enrolled, it is a moderately sized liberal arts college. The Pell grant rate of 26.8% indicates moderate financial diversity. Berry is known for its 27,000-acre campus and work program where students hold campus employment as part of their education. Students interested in environmental science, natural resources, and pre-health are the core population. Nursing students and those entering high-demand health fields find the strongest financial outcomes.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Berry College is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $22,320 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $53,800 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 12.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: its 69.5% graduation rate. What to keep an eye on: weak earnings relative to cost, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $23,250 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $32,300 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Berry College: Common Questions
Is Berry College worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Berry College scores 48/100 on our ROI scale. At $22,320 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $53,800 ten years after entry, so it takes about 12.2 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Berry College cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $22,320 a year, or roughly $89,280 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Berry College graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $53,800 ten years after enrolling, roughly $12,000 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Berry College?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 12.2 years for Berry College. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Berry College graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $23,250, against average earnings of $32,300 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Berry College?
The six-year graduation rate is 69.5%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.