Students at Agnes Scott College benefit from a supportive environment that helps low-income students achieve above-average earnings outcomes compared with similar institutions nationwide.
The college's small size and personalized approach create strong graduation rates and career preparation that serve students well across diverse professional paths.
Agnes Scott College is a small private liberal arts college in Decatur, Georgia, known for its close-knit academic community and strong outcomes for women pursuing diverse career paths. With just over 1,000 students, Agnes Scott provides an intimate educational experience where students receive significant individual attention and mentorship. The college serves a moderately diverse student body, with about 36% of students receiving Pell Grants and 21% being first-generation college students.
Graduates earn a median of $56,274 ten years after enrollment, placing the college around the national average for earnings outcomes. What distinguishes Agnes Scott is its consistent support for student success across income levels, with a 71% six-year graduation rate that reflects the institution's commitment to helping students complete their degrees. The college's "Selective Achievers" mobility profile indicates strong outcomes for the students it enrolls, though with more limited access for low-income students compared to larger public institutions.
As a women's college with a liberal arts focus, Agnes Scott combines academic rigor with practical career preparation. The college's small size allows for close faculty-student relationships and extensive opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, and leadership development that prepare graduates for success in graduate school and professional careers.
Agnes Scott College's academic program reflects the breadth and depth typical of a strong liberal arts institution, with Psychology serving as the largest major by graduate count. With 25 psychology graduates earning median early-career salaries of $32,569, the program exemplifies the college's approach to preparing students for diverse post-graduation paths, including graduate school, social services, and business applications of psychological principles.
The college's liberal arts foundation means that students across majors develop strong analytical, communication, and critical thinking skills that serve them well in various career paths. Many Agnes Scott graduates pursue advanced degrees in fields like law, medicine, business, and graduate-level psychology, where the college's rigorous academic preparation and close faculty mentorship provide significant advantages in competitive application processes.
What distinguishes Agnes Scott's academic approach is the integration of practical experience with theoretical learning through internships, undergraduate research, and leadership opportunities. The college's small size allows students to work closely with faculty on research projects and gain hands-on experience that enhances their preparation for both immediate employment and graduate study. This combination of liberal arts breadth with practical application helps explain why Agnes Scott graduates achieve solid long-term earnings despite modest early-career figures in fields like psychology that often require additional education for maximum earning potential.
Agnes Scott College graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect the value of a liberal arts education combined with practical career preparation. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $56,274, which places the college around the national average for earnings outcomes. The college's small size and personalized approach help students develop the critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills that employers value across many industries.
Psychology represents the college's largest program by total graduates, with 25 students earning degrees and achieving median earnings of $32,569 early in their careers. While this reflects the typical earnings pattern for psychology majors who often pursue graduate education or entry-level positions in social services, many Agnes Scott psychology graduates go on to advanced degrees in counseling, clinical psychology, or related fields that offer stronger long-term earning potential. The college's strong liberal arts foundation and close faculty mentorship help students prepare for competitive graduate programs and professional schools.
The college's emphasis on developing well-rounded graduates shows in the career trajectories of its alumni, who often pursue leadership roles in education, nonprofit organizations, business, and other professional fields. Agnes Scott's network of successful alumnae and strong career services support help graduates navigate early career transitions and build the professional connections that contribute to long-term career advancement and earnings growth.
Agnes Scott College offers competitive financial aid that makes private liberal arts education accessible to families across income levels. Low-income students pay about $20,042 per year after aid, while middle-income families see net costs around $22,407 annually. Even high-income families benefit from merit aid and other support, with net prices averaging $28,583 per year. These figures reflect Agnes Scott's commitment to making its education affordable relative to similar private colleges.
The college's financial aid approach emphasizes grants and scholarships over excessive borrowing, helping students graduate with manageable debt levels. Typical graduates leave with about $26,749 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable amount given the college's strong graduation rates and career outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $25,000, reflecting families' investment in the personalized education and close mentorship that Agnes Scott provides.
What makes Agnes Scott particularly sustainable financially is the college's strong track record of helping students complete their degrees and transition successfully to careers or graduate school. With a 71% six-year graduation rate and solid earnings outcomes, most graduates are well-positioned to manage their educational investments while building toward long-term financial stability and career advancement.
Agnes Scott College Hub Overview
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