Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 12.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 87/100 · Strong Value
Haverford College sits in the top tier of small liberal arts colleges by ROI, scoring 87 out of 100. With an 12.4% admission rate, it is among the most selective colleges in the country. Fewer than 1,430 undergraduates attend, making it genuinely intimate. Despite sticker tuition above $70,000, net price lands at $25,314 on average, and the median graduate carries just $13,621 in debt -- the lowest figure in this peer group by a wide margin. Payback clocks at 5.4 years. Completion sits at 89.6%, far above the national average. Economics graduates earn $112,050 at the four-year mark (35 graduates), and International Relations graduates report $62,242 at four years (18 graduates). Six-year earnings of $44,100 reflect the liberal arts path where many students pursue graduate school before peak earnings hit -- the 10-year figure of $79,966 tells a better story. For families evaluating elite small colleges, Haverford's debt load and payback speed are its strongest differentiators from peers like Davidson and Claremont McKenna.
Haverford College scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Haverford College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $70,688/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $70,688/yr |
| Average net price | $25,314/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $101,256 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $79,966 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $44,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $13,621 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $144 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 89.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,430 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Haverford College is $70,688/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $25,314/year, or roughly $101,256 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,531/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $45,991/year.
The median graduate leaves with $13,621 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $144 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $79,966 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.31 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $7,531 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,388 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,007 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,171 |
| $110,001+ | $45,991 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning below $30,000 pay a net price of $7,531 per year at Haverford -- about $30,000 for four years total. With median debt at $13,621 school-wide and payback under 5.5 years, low-income students who complete their degree here face a more manageable financial picture than at many less selective schools. The school's aid generosity for low-income students is a genuine differentiator.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30-48k bracket pays $9,388/year and the 48-75k bracket pays $12,007/year -- a modest slope upward. The 75-110k bracket reaches $18,171/year. Cost climbs, but the scale remains relatively contained compared to peers with similar sticker prices. Families in this range generally pay less than they would at comparable private schools.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $45,991 per year -- close to full sticker for the top income band. At a school with $44,100 six-year median earnings, that represents a significant upfront investment. The 10-year median of $79,966 and the 5.4-year payback period (calculated on average net price) suggest the investment still pays off, but high-income families should factor in that the ROI case is weaker if paying near full price than for aided students.
Earnings by Major
Top 3 most popular majors at Haverford College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $112,050 | - |
| International Relations | $62,242 | - |
| Psychology | $63,040 | - |
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.
Economics
Haverford Economics graduates (35 per year) reach $112,050 at the four-year earnings mark -- a standout figure for a liberal arts Economics program. The college's proximity to Philadelphia and New York financial markets creates a natural pipeline into financial services, consulting, and policy roles. Employers recruiting from small liberal arts colleges in the Haverford tier often seek analytical writers and critical thinkers rather than pure quantitative specialists, which fits the Haverford model well. Debt data is not available at the program level, but the school-wide median debt of $13,621 -- the lowest in its peer group -- implies strong return on investment for Economics graduates specifically. Four-year earnings of $112,050 rival those of engineering programs at much larger universities.
International Relations
International Relations at Haverford produces 18 graduates per year with four-year median earnings of $62,242. That figure positions graduates ahead of IR programs at many comparable liberal arts colleges. Career destinations typically include federal agencies, think tanks, international NGOs, and law school. Haverford's reputation in social science and policy circles carries weight with DC-area and NYC employers who recruit from small elite colleges. Graduate school attendance rates in International Relations tend to be high, so four-year earnings understate long-term outcomes -- the 10-year school-wide median of $79,966 reflects where many liberal arts graduates land after professional or graduate training.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 92.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | N/A | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 90.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 95.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 12.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 740-780 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 720-770 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 33-35 |
| Enrollment | 1,430 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,785 |
At 12.4%, Haverford is highly selective -- roughly 1 in 8 applicants gains admission. Admitted students present in the ACT 33-35 range and SAT 720-770 reading, 740-780 math -- scores that place them in the top 5-7% nationally. The school does not publicly weight any single factor above others, but academic preparation and intellectual fit are clearly paramount given the score distribution.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among Haverford's listed peers, Davidson College and Claremont McKenna College both score in the Exceptional Value tier (90 and 92 respectively) and carry higher six-year earnings. Grinnell College (ROI 83) scores slightly lower, with a net price of $17,648 for the average student. Haverford's decisive advantage is debt: median debt of $13,621 is well below Davidson ($18,500 net price peers) and peers nationally. Completion at 89.6% is among the highest in any peer set. Haverford scores 87 overall -- Strong Value -- which is competitive but trails its most elite liberal arts peers, primarily because its six-year earnings of $44,100 reflect graduate-school-track students whose peak earnings arrive later.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haverford College (this school) | 87 | $25,314 | $79,966 |
| Claremont McKenna College | 92 | $28,849 | $104,736 |
| Davidson College | 90 | $17,379 | $81,400 |
| Grinnell College | 83 | $17,648 | $62,830 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
Students who succeed here tend to arrive with strong academic records -- admitted students cluster in the ACT 33-35 range and SAT 720-780 reading, 740-780 math. Pell grant recipients make up 15.5% of enrollment, lower than most comparably selective schools. The honor code culture means self-directed learners thrive here. The 89.6% completion rate signals that students who enroll finish, which also reflects the caliber of incoming students. Best fit: academically driven students comfortable in a discussion-heavy, seminar-style environment who plan graduate or professional school after graduation.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Haverford College delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $25,314 per year ($101,256 over four years), graduates earn a median of $79,966 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.4 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 89.6% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $13,621 is very manageable against $79,966 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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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.