Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia · Private Nonprofit · 40.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 74/100 · Fair Value
Hampden-Sydney College, a small all-male private liberal arts college in Virginia, posts an overall CampusROI score of 74 -- comfortably in the Fair Value tier and one of the stronger small-private profiles in our database. Sticker tuition is steep at $54,550, but the average net price drops to $22,400 (four-year total roughly $89,600). What separates Hampden-Sydney from typical private liberal arts schools is the strength of post-graduation outcomes: 10-year median earnings of $67,640 produce a 36.4% earnings premium (sub-score 78) and just a 7-year payback period (sub-score 83). Median debt of $26,000 against those earnings yields a 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 53). The repayment sub-score of 92 is exceptional -- 87.9% of borrowers are reducing principal at three years, signaling that graduates land in stable, well-paying roles. Completion at 62.2% is solid for a small private. The honest read: H-SC is one of the rare small liberal arts colleges where the price-to-payoff math actually works for most income tiers, driven by strong placement into business and finance roles in the Richmond/DC corridor.
Hampden-Sydney College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $54,550/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $54,550/yr |
| Average net price | $22,400/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $89,600 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,640 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $43,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 62.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 946 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Hampden-Sydney College is $54,550/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,400/year, or roughly $89,600 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,422/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $32,133/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $276 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $67,640 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - 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 | $13,422 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,458 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,547 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,600 |
| $110,001+ | $32,133 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $13,422 net -- slightly higher than the $30,001-$48,000 bracket's $12,458, a mild inversion. Over four years that is roughly $54,000 of cost. Combined with $67,640 median 10-year earnings and a 7-year payback period, this is one of the cleanest low-income ROI cases at any private liberal arts college. The 22.6% Pell rate is comparatively low, but Pell-eligible students who do enroll are getting strong value.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Households at $48,001-$75,000 pay $17,547 and $75,001-$110,000 pays $22,600 -- $70,000-$90,000 over four years. Combined with the strong earnings outcomes and 7-year payback period, this tier is where Hampden-Sydney's value proposition is at its clearest. The math meaningfully outperforms typical private liberal arts options in the same income bracket.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $32,133 net, or about $129,000 over four years -- still a 41% discount from sticker. At full or near-full pay, the 7-year payback period and 36.4% earnings premium make this a defensible choice even financially, particularly for students aiming at business or finance careers.
Earnings by Major
Top 5 most popular majors at Hampden-Sydney College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Information Systems | $87,835 | C+ |
| Biology | $62,515 | C |
| Economics | $68,795 | C+ |
| History | $48,625 | C |
| International Relations | $68,731 | D |
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.
Business Information Systems
Business Information Systems is Hampden-Sydney's flagship ROI program. Graduates earn $52,087 at one year and an exceptional $87,835 at four years against $26,970 of debt -- a 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ ROI grade. With 33 graduates per year this is the largest cohort. Career paths span business analytics, IT consulting, and corporate-finance technology roles, often leveraging the school's strong DC-corridor alumni network.
Economics
Economics graduates earn $52,155 at one year and $68,795 at four years against $27,000 of debt -- a 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ grade. With 21 graduates per year this is the second-largest ROI cohort. Strong placement into financial services and consulting in Richmond and the broader DC market drives the four-year earnings figure, which is competitive with much larger universities.
Biology
Biology graduates earn $41,876 at one year and $62,515 at four years against $24,500 of debt -- a 0.59 ratio and a C grade. With 22 graduates per year this is one of the larger preprofessional pipelines on campus. The relatively strong four-year earnings suggest that many graduates progress to medical, dental, or PA programs where post-degree earnings unlock; bachelor's-only outcomes would be materially weaker.
History
History graduates earn $42,949 at one year and $48,625 at four years against $27,000 of debt -- a 0.63 ratio and a C grade. With 20 graduates per year this is a meaningful classical-liberal-arts cohort. Career paths typically lead to law school, government, or financial services via the H-SC alumni network; the bachelor's earnings figure understates the full lifecycle outcome for those who pursue graduate work.
International Relations
International Relations graduates earn $37,123 at one year but a strong $68,731 at four years against $27,000 of debt -- a 0.73 ratio at year one (D grade) but materially better outcomes mid-career. The earnings curve here is steeper than most majors, reflecting graduate-school progression and DC-area government, NGO, and consulting placement. With 12 graduates per year this is a smaller but academically distinctive program.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 87.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 79.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 83.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 40.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 510-610 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 520-640 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-28 |
| Enrollment | 946 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 22.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,550 |
Hampden-Sydney admits 40.9% of applicants, making it moderately selective by liberal arts standards. SAT mid-50% ranges of 510-610 math and 520-640 reading, with an ACT mid-range of 23-28, indicate an academically prepared student body. Selectivity here correlates with a 62% completion rate and the strong outcomes on the back end -- this is a school where admitted students generally finish and generally land well, which validates the price tag.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
The CampusROI peer set includes Averett University (VA), Bluefield University (VA), William Jewell College (MO), Scripps College (CA), and Illinois Wesleyan. Hampden-Sydney materially outperforms Averett and Bluefield, which sit in the Poor Value tier. William Jewell is a roughly comparable small private with weaker outcomes. Scripps (a Claremont consortium school) is highly selective and posts stronger absolute earnings, while Illinois Wesleyan is broadly comparable. Within this peer set, H-SC is in the upper half on most ROI inputs.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampden-Sydney College (this school) | 74 | $22,400 | $67,640 |
| Scripps College | 78 | $36,294 | $77,539 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | 73 | $28,199 | $70,871 |
| William Jewell College | 72 | $17,562 | $59,268 |
| Averett University | 37 | $22,925 | $51,516 |
| Bluefield University | 32 | $25,573 | $48,896 |
Who Thrives Here
With 946 students (all male), a 22.6% Pell rate, and a residential rural Virginia campus, Hampden-Sydney fits academically prepared men seeking a traditional liberal arts experience with strong networking into Virginia and DC business. Outcomes look strongest in business information systems ($87,835 four-year), economics ($68,795), and international relations ($68,731 -- though with weaker first-year earnings). The fraternal-network and alumni-mentorship culture is a real factor in placement outcomes here.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Hampden-Sydney College offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $22,400 per year leads to $89,600 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $67,640 a decade out. The payback period of 7 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $26,000 against $67,640 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.