Hannibal-LaGrange University
Hannibal, Missouri · Private Nonprofit · 72.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 30/100 · Poor Value
Hannibal-LaGrange University posts an overall ROI score of 30 out of 100, placing it firmly in Poor Value territory. Median earnings six years after enrollment are $31,600, climbing modestly to $42,643 by year 10 -- weak figures that drag the earnings-premium sub-score to 16/100. Median debt of $18,599 is moderate, but combined with low earnings it produces a 0.589 debt-to-earnings ratio and a 30.3-year payback period. The completion rate of 50.4% is below national norms for four-year privates. Net price is $22,814 against sticker tuition of $26,880, so institutional aid discounts are modest. The school is a small Baptist-affiliated university in northeast Missouri, and like many small denominational privates, the ROI numbers reflect a mission focused on faith formation and rural ministry over earnings maximization. The 50.4% completion rate also means roughly half of enrollees never see the credential they took on debt to pursue, which is the critical risk factor for any prospective student here.
The data raises concerns about Hannibal-LaGrange University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score30/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period30.3 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Hannibal-LaGrange University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $26,880/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $26,880/yr |
| Average net price | $22,814/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $91,256 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,643 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $31,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,599 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $197 |
| Estimated payback period | 30.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 50.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 410 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Hannibal-LaGrange University is $26,880/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,814/year, or roughly $91,256 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $21,285/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,979/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,599 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $197 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $42,643 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 | $21,285 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,019 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,681 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,376 |
| $110,001+ | $25,979 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $21,285 -- nearly the full average net price, with minimal aid stacking. Pell grants cover roughly $7,000 of that, but federal loans absorb the rest. Over four years that is $85,000 of borrowed and family contributions against median graduate earnings of $31,600. The math fails for any student who does not complete (half of enrollees), and is tight even for those who do.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $18,019 -- the cheapest published rate. The $48,001-$75,000 bracket comes back up to $20,681. Aid is mildly progressive in the lower middle bracket but flattens above. For a working-class family in the $30,001-$48,000 range, the four-year cost of $72,000 is the most defensible price point on offer.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $25,376 and the $110,001-plus bracket pays $25,979 -- effectively the same, signaling no merit-based discounting at higher incomes. High-income families paying $26,000 for a school with $31,600 median earnings and a 50% completion rate are paying for community and faith, not earnings.
Earnings by Major
Top 2 most popular majors at Hannibal-LaGrange University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | $35,240 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $48,374 | C |
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 Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 16 students per year with $39,736 first-year earnings rising to $48,374 by year four. Median debt of $22,549 produces a 0.567 ratio and a C ROI grade -- the strongest program at the school but still modest. Graduates typically take jobs in small-town Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa with regional banks, small businesses, and church-affiliated organizations. The earnings curve is flatter than typical business programs at larger universities.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 20 students annually with $32,927 first-year earnings rising only marginally to $35,240 by year four -- a sign that graduates remain in low-paying rural Midwest school districts. Median debt of $25,250 produces a 0.767 ratio and a D ROI grade. Graduates fill important roles in northeast Missouri and west-central Illinois public schools, but the economic outcomes for individuals are weak.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 69.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 67.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 75.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 72.6% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 15-24 |
| Enrollment | 410 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $2,888 |
Hannibal-LaGrange admits 72.6% of applicants with an ACT composite mid-range of 15-24 -- an unusually wide band that signals an open-access institution admitting many students who would not be admitted at more selective regional schools. SAT data is not reported. The lower bound of 15 on the ACT is well below college-readiness benchmarks, which helps explain the 50.4% completion rate. The school is broadly accessible to any student willing to attend, with very limited academic filtering.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Hannibal-LaGrange's peer set includes small faith-affiliated regional privates. Avila University (Missouri) and Mission University are the closest geographic and denominational peers with comparable enrollment and weak ROI profiles. Calumet College of Saint Joseph (IN), University of the Southwest (NM), and Boricua College (NY) round out the group with similar small-college economics. Across this peer cluster, Hannibal-LaGrange's 30-point ROI score is roughly typical -- meaning the school is not exceptionally bad relative to its peers, but the entire tier of small faith-affiliated regional privates struggles on ROI fundamentals.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hannibal-LaGrange University (this school) | 30 | $22,814 | $42,643 |
| Avila University | 51 | $16,053 | $52,773 |
| Boricua College | 37 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| Calumet College of Saint Joseph | 29 | $22,451 | $46,945 |
| University of the Southwest | 27 | $16,927 | $45,389 |
| Mission University | 15 | $21,383 | $38,641 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment of just 410 students with a 36.8% Pell rate signals a very small, low-to-moderate-income student body. The notably low average faculty salary ($2,888 reported, likely reflecting heavy part-time/adjunct staffing) is a structural concern. Strong fit: students with deep Southern Baptist ties pursuing ministry, education, or business careers in northeast Missouri's small-town economy, where the institutional connections matter more than the wage data. Weak fit: students seeking competitive professional outcomes, who would do dramatically better at the University of Missouri system or Truman State.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Hannibal-LaGrange University. With a net cost of $22,814 per year and median graduate earnings of only $42,643 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 30.3 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 50.4% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $18,599 against $42,643 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.