Rhodes College
Memphis, Tennessee · Private Nonprofit · 50.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 73/100 · Fair Value
Rhodes College scores 73 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale -- a middling result for a selective liberal arts college with $57,110 sticker tuition. The 84.5% completion rate is strong. The main challenge is earnings: $40,800 median 6-year earnings is low relative to $57,110 sticker and a $28,585 net price, producing an 8-year payback period. The program mix is heavily weighted toward liberal arts where near-term earnings compress the near-term ROI. Computer Science (32 graduates) is the top performer at $60,225 year-one and $78,973 at year four (B grade). Business Administration (63 graduates) earns $58,550 year-one and $77,838 at year four (B grade). Economics (25 graduates) earns $57,814 year-one and $82,950 at year four (B+ grade). Most other programs -- Biology, History, International Relations, Neurosciences -- carry D grades with year-one earnings in the high $20s to mid-$30s and debt-to-earnings above 0.70. The 10-year earnings of $66,651 suggest the Rhodes credential does appreciate with time -- but the early career window is difficult for many programs. The Memphis, Tennessee location provides access to a regional job market but not the dense professional networks of Northeast or major West Coast metros.
Rhodes College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $57,110/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $57,110/yr |
| Average net price | $28,585/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $114,340 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,651 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,761 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $231 |
| Estimated payback period | 8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 84.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,836 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Rhodes College is $57,110/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $28,585/year, or roughly $114,340 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,770/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $31,878/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,761 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $231 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $66,651 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.53 - 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 | $15,770 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,960 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,910 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $37,103 |
| $110,001+ | $31,878 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $15,770 per year -- roughly $63,000 over four years. Given Rhodes' strong completion rate (84.5%) and 10-year earnings of $66,651, the long-run case is defensible. The near-term earnings trajectory is the challenge: $40,800 at six years requires patience. Low-income students who gain admission benefit from a selective credential at a relatively modest total investment.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $15,910 per year (unusually low -- comparable to the lowest bracket), while the 75001-110000 bracket jumps to $37,103. The step at 75k is very steep. Families in the $75k-$110k range pay significantly more than lower-income peers at Rhodes, which is notable. At $37,103/year, the four-year cost of $148,000 requires a careful ROI calculation for middle-income families in that bracket.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $31,878 per year -- lower than the 75001-110000 bracket, which is an unusual inversion. At $127,000 over four years, the full-pay case rests on the long-run credential value. The 8-year payback and $40,800 median 6-year earnings make this a slow return. Students entering high-earning programs (economics, CS, business) can justify it; humanities and life sciences graduates face a longer horizon.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Rhodes College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $50,036 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,838 | B |
| Computer Science | $78,973 | B |
| Psychology | $37,563 | C |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $56,744 | D |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $35,556 | C+ |
| Economics | $82,950 | B+ |
| International Relations | $72,062 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $49,042 | B |
| History | $29,279 | 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.
Economics
Economics (25 graduates) is the best-performing program by ROI grade: $57,814 year-one, $82,950 at year four (B+ grade, debt-to-earnings 0.337, median debt $19,500). Low median debt relative to the institution is notable. The four-year trajectory to $83k reflects consulting, banking, and corporate finance placement. This is a strong small-cohort outcome for a regional liberal arts college.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (63 graduates) earns $58,550 year-one and $77,838 at year four (B grade, debt-to-earnings 0.380, median debt $22,240). Year-one earnings of $58k are competitive for a Memphis-based liberal arts school. The four-year figure of $78k is solid. B grade ROI reflects manageable debt-to-earnings. This program has consistent outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science (32 graduates) earns $60,225 year-one and $78,973 at year four (B grade, debt-to-earnings 0.431, median debt $25,982). Year-one earnings are good for a small liberal arts CS program. The four-year arc to $79k is reasonable. Debt-to-earnings of 0.431 is elevated relative to CS programs at technical universities but reflects liberal arts pricing and scale.
Biology
Biology (69 graduates, the largest program) earns $28,901 year-one and $50,036 at year four (D grade, debt-to-earnings 0.812, median debt $23,465). Low year-one earnings reflect the pre-medicine pathway -- most biology graduates enter post-baccalaureate programs or medical school rather than immediate employment. The near-term ROI is poor, but this is largely a timing issue for students on the medical school track. Total debt must be weighed against the long-run professional school investment.
International Relations
International Relations (25 graduates) earns $35,537 year-one and $72,062 at year four (D grade, debt-to-earnings 0.746, median debt $26,500). Low year-one earnings reflect public sector and nonprofit entry-level roles. The four-year trajectory to $72k is meaningful improvement. The D grade captures the mismatch between near-term earnings and debt level. Students planning law school or graduate school should model total education debt carefully.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 86.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 88.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 86.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 91.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 50.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 650-753 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 650-733 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 26-32 |
| Enrollment | 1,836 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 15.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,481 |
At 50.4%, Rhodes is moderately selective for a liberal arts college with its profile. SAT Math 650-753 and Reading 650-733 (ACT 26-32) describe a solid academic range, lower than comparable selective New England schools but consistent with comparable Southern liberal arts colleges. Admissions emphasizes intellectual engagement and community fit.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Rhodes' Scorecard peers include Occidental College, St. Lawrence University, and Wofford College. Among selective small liberal arts colleges outside the Northeast, Rhodes (73) posts a middling ROI score. Occidental is a direct comparable in profile; St. Lawrence serves a Northeast market. Within this cohort, Rhodes's completion rate (84.5%) is strong but its earnings outcomes are below peer median, reflecting the Memphis location's labor market and the pre-medicine pathway's near-term earnings compression. Students choosing among Southern liberal arts colleges should compare Rhodes' net price carefully against Sewanee, Wofford, and Furman.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodes College (this school) | 73 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
| Wofford College | 81 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| Occidental College | 73 | $38,263 | $75,951 |
| St Lawrence University | 69 | $28,651 | $67,258 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | 69 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| American Baptist College | 32 | $9,216 | $41,216 |
Who Thrives Here
Rhodes admits 50.4% of applicants, with SAT mid-ranges of 650-753 Math and 650-733 Reading (ACT 26-32). At 1,836 students, it is a small residential liberal arts college. The 15.9% Pell grant rate suggests a primarily upper-income student body. Rhodes attracts students interested in humanities, pre-medicine, pre-law, and sciences. The Memphis location connects students to healthcare (via St. Jude and other major medical institutions) and regional business. Students planning pre-medicine often accept lower near-term earnings in exchange for medical school trajectory -- a pattern visible in the Biology outcomes.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Rhodes College offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $28,585 per year leads to $114,340 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $66,651 a decade out. The payback period of 8 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: a 84.5% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $21,761 against $66,651 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.