Students at Cedar Crest College achieve earnings that exceed expectations, with graduates earning roughly $4,400 more than similar students at comparable institutions.
The college's focus on career preparation and student support translates into solid financial outcomes and exceptional loan repayment success.
Cedar Crest College delivers strong value as a small private college focused on career preparation and student success. While comprehensive national rankings are limited for smaller institutions, Cedar Crest demonstrates solid performance in key outcome areas, with graduates earning a median of $59,460 ten years after enrollment and achieving earnings that exceed expectations by roughly $4,400 compared with similar students at other institutions.
The college serves a diverse student body, with 39% receiving Pell Grants and 43% being first-generation college students, yet maintains strong graduation outcomes with a 58% six-year completion rate. As a designated "Mobility Engine," Cedar Crest successfully combines meaningful access for underrepresented students with solid economic outcomes, particularly in its signature nursing and healthcare programs.
Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Cedar Crest offers the intimate learning environment of a small private college while maintaining connections to regional healthcare systems and employers. The institution's focus on professional preparation, combined with its track record of supporting first-generation and low-income students through to graduation, makes it a compelling option for students seeking both academic support and clear career pathways in a close-knit campus community.
Cedar Crest College's program portfolio centers on professional preparation, with nursing serving as the institution's flagship offering. The Adult Health Nursing program graduates 86 students annually with strong median earnings of $64,406, making it both the college's largest program and highest-return investment. This concentration in healthcare reflects regional employer demand and provides graduates with immediate access to stable, well-compensated careers in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems throughout Pennsylvania.
Business Administration represents the college's second-largest program, graduating 40 students with median earnings of $44,021 ten years out. While earnings are more moderate than nursing, business graduates benefit from the college's small size and personalized career services, often finding opportunities in regional companies and organizations. Psychology, with 28 graduates earning around $28,443, typically serves as preparation for graduate school or entry-level positions in social services and related fields.
The college's focused program mix allows for deep employer relationships and specialized career preparation within each field. Rather than offering broad academic variety, Cedar Crest concentrates resources on programs with clear employment pathways, particularly in healthcare where the college has built strong clinical partnerships and placement networks. This targeted approach helps explain why graduates achieve earnings beyond expectations despite the institution's small size.
Cedar Crest College graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with a median income of $59,460 ten years after enrollment. More importantly, graduates earn about $4,400 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the college's ability to add meaningful value beyond what students might achieve elsewhere. This earnings advantage places Cedar Crest above average nationally for return on investment, reflecting the institution's focus on career-oriented programs and strong employer connections.
The college's strongest financial outcomes come from its nursing program, which graduates 86 students annually with median earnings of $64,406 ten years out, making it both the largest and highest-return program at the institution. Business Administration, the second-largest program with 40 graduates, produces median earnings of $44,021, while Psychology graduates earn around $28,443 in the early career years. This pattern reflects Cedar Crest's emphasis on professional programs, particularly in healthcare, where graduates enter stable, well-compensated fields with clear advancement pathways.
The college's small size allows for focused career preparation and strong alumni networks within specific industries, particularly healthcare and business. With 193 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, Cedar Crest demonstrates that a small private college can deliver competitive financial outcomes when programs align closely with regional employer needs and student career goals.
Cedar Crest College maintains relatively affordable net prices for a private institution, making quality education accessible across income levels. Low-income students pay approximately $19,765 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $21,105 per year. Even high-income families pay about $26,406 annually, which represents significant savings compared to the full sticker price and reflects the college's commitment to making private education financially viable.
The college's financial aid approach helps keep debt levels manageable for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $27,000 in federal student loan debt, a reasonable amount given the institution's strong earnings outcomes and career focus. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $20,892, reflecting family investment in the college experience while remaining within sustainable ranges for most households. With a 0% federal loan default rate, Cedar Crest graduates demonstrate strong ability to manage their educational debt successfully.
What makes Cedar Crest particularly sustainable financially is the combination of reasonable debt levels and solid post-graduation earnings. With median income reaching nearly $60,000 ten years out, most graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building their careers. The college's focus on professional programs with clear employment pathways helps ensure that students can translate their education investment into stable, well-paying careers that support long-term financial health.
Cedar Crest College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
