Emory & Henry University provides accessible private college education with strong affordability and a commitment to serving first-generation and low-income students.
While earnings outcomes are modest, the university offers the close-knit community and personal attention that define the small college experience.
Emory & Henry University is a small private college in rural Virginia that serves students seeking an intimate educational experience with strong community connections. While the university doesn't rank among the top performers nationally for earnings outcomes, it provides meaningful access to higher education for students from diverse economic backgrounds, with 41% of students receiving Pell Grants and 27% being first-generation college students.
The university's graduates earn a median of $47,385 ten years after enrollment, which places it in the 37th percentile nationally. What distinguishes Emory & Henry is its commitment to serving students who might not otherwise attend college, particularly those from lower-income families in Appalachian Virginia. The institution falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility category, reflecting both its strong access mission and the challenges it faces in delivering top-tier earnings outcomes.
As a small private college with fewer than 1,000 students, Emory & Henry offers the personalized attention and tight-knit community that many students value, even as families should understand that long-term financial returns may be more modest compared to larger research universities or more selective institutions.
Emory & Henry's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts mission and small college scale. Psychology stands out as the primary program by aggregate return, graduating 26 students annually with earnings of $25,967 ten years out. While these earnings are modest, psychology serves as a foundation for many career paths and often leads to graduate study in counseling, social work, or related fields.
The limited program data available reflects the university's small size and broad liberal arts focus rather than concentration in high-earning professional fields. Students typically pursue traditional undergraduate majors that emphasize critical thinking, communication, and personal development over immediate earning potential. For students drawn to this educational model, the value lies in the comprehensive liberal arts experience and the preparation it provides for diverse career paths, even if initial earnings may be lower than at more vocationally-focused institutions.
Graduates of Emory & Henry University see modest but steady earnings growth over time. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $47,385, which places the university in the lower portion of the national distribution for long-term earnings outcomes. Early career earnings start at around $39,448 six years out, showing gradual progression as graduates establish themselves professionally.
The university's strongest program by aggregate return is Psychology, which graduates 26 students annually with median earnings of $25,967 ten years out. While these earnings are modest, psychology remains a popular field that often serves as preparation for graduate school or careers in counseling, social work, and human services. The limited program data reflects the university's small size and focused liberal arts mission, with most students pursuing traditional undergraduate majors rather than high-earning professional fields like engineering or business.
For families considering Emory & Henry, it's important to understand that the financial return on investment is below national averages. The university's value proposition centers more on the educational experience, personal development, and community connections rather than maximizing post-graduation earnings potential.
Emory & Henry University offers relatively strong affordability for a private institution, particularly for lower-income families. Low-income students pay a net price of $17,348 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $19,781, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,722. These prices are competitive within the private college market and reflect the university's commitment to making education accessible.
Debt levels are manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $26,332 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $25,547. While these amounts are not insignificant, they remain within reasonable bounds for a private college education. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are generally able to meet their repayment obligations despite modest earnings levels. The combination of reasonable net prices and manageable debt loads helps make Emory & Henry a viable option for families seeking private college access without overwhelming financial burden.
Emory & Henry University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
