Morehouse College
Atlanta, Georgia · Private Nonprofit · 44.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 29/100 · Poor Value
Morehouse College, the historically Black men's liberal arts college in Atlanta, scores 29 out of 100, landing in the Poor Value tier. The numbers tell a familiar HBCU story: a 59.4% completion rate (decent, especially for an institution serving a heavily Pell-eligible population), $52,889 in 10-year median earnings, a 16.5-year payback period, and a 0.723 debt-to-earnings ratio. The structural concern is the 45.5% three-year repayment rate - one of the lowest in our dataset - signaling that more than half of borrowers are not reducing principal three years out. Tuition is $32,893 with net price actually higher at $39,013 (the difference reflects room and board); the four-year sticker is $156,052. Median federal debt is $25,000, modest given the price. The Business Administration program (128 graduates, B grade, $55,567 first-year earnings) is the standout, and the school's well-known pipeline into corporate America, finance, and graduate/professional school adds non-financial value not captured in the headline ROI number. Morehouse is best evaluated through the lens of HBCU alumni network access and graduate-school placement rather than pure earnings ROI.
The data raises concerns about Morehouse College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score29/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period16.5 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Morehouse College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $32,893/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $32,893/yr |
| Average net price | $39,013/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $156,052 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,889 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 59.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,844 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Morehouse College is $32,893/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $39,013/year, or roughly $156,052 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $36,359/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $42,723/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $52,889 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 | $36,359 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $36,534 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $40,092 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $41,179 |
| $110,001+ | $42,723 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-$30,000 pay $36,359 net price - a steep figure for the lowest-income bracket, indicating that institutional aid does not deeply close the gap. Morehouse's endowment is smaller than predominantly-white peers, limiting aid capacity. Pell maxes at ~$7,400 and Georgia HOPE/Zell Miller scholarships help in-state students. The $52,889 in 10-year earnings against $25,000 debt makes the math work eventually, but the cost-side burden on low-income families is real.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $36,534, $48,001-$75,000 pays $40,092, and $75,001-$110,000 pays $41,179. The aid model scales income-progressively but with shallow discounts. Middle-income families face $36,000-$41,000 net annually - a meaningful financial commitment that should be weighed against the network value Morehouse provides.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $42,723 - the highest bracket, only modestly above middle-income figures. The compressed pricing curve means high-income families pay near-sticker. Full-pay families spend roughly $171,000 over four years for the credential and network. The financial calculus only works if the family specifically values the Morehouse alumni network and HBCU experience.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Morehouse College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,422 | B |
| Biology | $34,866 | F |
| Sociology | $62,517 | D |
| International Relations | $71,139 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $39,567 | F |
| Economics | $84,816 | C |
| Psychology | $54,867 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $46,847 | F |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $112,934 | - |
| Communication and Media Studies | $40,273 | 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 Administration, Management, and Operations
By far the largest program with 128 graduates, the BBA earns a B grade. First-year earnings of $55,567 climb to $69,422 by year four against $23,625 median debt and a 0.425 debt-to-earnings ratio. Strong outcomes that reflect Morehouse's deep corporate recruiting pipeline (Goldman, McKinsey, IBM, and major banks all recruit on campus). The four-year progression is solid; alumni network effects drive much of the long-term earnings premium beyond what the data shows.
Biology
Thirty-two graduates earn an F grade. First-year earnings of $19,679 against $24,543 median debt produce the worst ratio in the program mix (1.247). Four-year earnings only reach $34,866, indicating most graduates do not advance to medical school during the measurement window. Pre-med biology at any HBCU follows the national pattern: most students enroll planning medical school, only a fraction get admitted, and the rest graduate underemployed. Morehouse's actual MD/PhD placement is strong for those who succeed, but the headline number captures the broader cohort.
Sociology
Twenty-six graduates earn a D grade. First-year earnings of $31,391 climb meaningfully to $62,517 by year four against $29,500 median debt and a 0.94 ratio. The four-year jump from $31K to $62K is substantial and likely reflects graduates entering law school, social work graduate programs, or policy careers. The entry math is tight; the trajectory rewards advanced credentials.
International Relations
Twenty-five graduates earn a D grade. First-year earnings of $32,340 climb sharply to $71,139 by year four against $25,125 median debt and a 0.777 ratio. The four-year doubling of earnings indicates strong placement into State Department, NGO, federal government, and international consulting roles. Morehouse's reputation in DC policy circles drives this trajectory.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Twenty-three graduates earn an F grade. First-year earnings of $26,158 against $28,000 median debt produce a 1.07 ratio. Four-year earnings only reach $39,567 - relatively flat progression. Like biology, this is a pre-health pipeline (PT, OT, athletic training) where most students do not advance to graduate programs. Students pursuing this major should have a clear graduate plan or pivot to a more applied health-services credential.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 38.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 45.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 40.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 43.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 44.0% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 18-25 |
| Enrollment | 2,844 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 44.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,703 |
Morehouse admits 44% of applicants, making it moderately selective for an HBCU. SAT data is not reported; ACT mid-range is 18-25. The 59.4% completion rate is consistent with the academic profile - well-prepared admits mostly finish, and the institution has strong peer-mentorship traditions (the Morehouse legacy network) that drive persistence. Prospective students with ACT 23+ and a clear pre-professional or graduate-school plan should expect favorable consideration.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Morehouse's most direct peers are other elite HBCUs: Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta neighbor, similar profile) and Tuskegee University (engineering-heavy HBCU). Spelman College (sister institution, women's college) is the natural counterpart but does not appear in this peer set. Agnes Scott is an Atlanta-area liberal arts college with stronger ROI numbers. Indiana Tech and Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico are off-target. Among true HBCU peers, Morehouse's brand prestige drives stronger graduate-school and corporate placement than the headline earnings data suggests.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morehouse College (this school) | 29 | $39,013 | $52,889 |
| North Carolina A & T State University | 32 | $10,846 | $44,440 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | 28 | $13,739 | $44,349 |
| Winston-Salem State University | 27 | $13,479 | $45,344 |
| Prairie View A & M University | 27 | $13,570 | $45,411 |
| Tuskegee University | 26 | $35,013 | $49,641 |
Who Thrives Here
Morehouse enrolls 2,844 students with a 44.7% Pell rate, drawing nationally from Black families across the US. The fit is overwhelmingly clear: students seeking an all-male HBCU experience with deep alumni network access in business, law, medicine, ministry, and politics. The financial ROI calculation underweights the network value - Morehouse alumni include Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, and many corporate executives - that translates into intangible career-long benefits. Students primarily seeking maximum earnings ROI should look at Georgia Tech or other state options.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Morehouse College. With a net cost of $39,013 per year and median graduate earnings of only $52,889 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 16.5 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,000 against $52,889 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.