Students at Erskine College achieve earnings beyond expectations, earning about $4,061 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
The college ranks in the top quartile for economic mobility, helping graduates advance financially regardless of family background.
Erskine College is a small private nonprofit institution in Due West, South Carolina, serving about 600 students in a close-knit academic community. The college maintains a strong commitment to access, with about 40% of students receiving Pell Grants and 22% being first-generation college students. While Erskine's overall outcomes place it around the middle of the national distribution for earnings, the institution demonstrates particular strength in supporting student mobility, ranking in the top 25% nationally for helping students advance economically.
Graduates earn a median of $53,459 ten years after enrollment, with the college showing positive value-added performance—students earn about $4,061 more than would be expected at similar institutions. The college's 49% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many small private colleges face, but students who complete their degrees generally see solid long-term financial outcomes. Business Administration represents the largest program, with 32 graduates earning a median of $29,685 early in their careers.
As a small private college in rural South Carolina, Erskine offers an intimate educational experience with the personal attention that comes from low student-to-faculty ratios. For students who value close mentoring relationships and a supportive campus environment, Erskine provides a pathway to meaningful career outcomes while maintaining affordability relative to many private institutions.
Erskine College's academic portfolio centers on practical, career-focused programs that prepare students for stable employment in the Southeast region. Business Administration and Management stands out as the college's flagship offering, graduating 32 students annually with early-career earnings around $29,685. While starting salaries are modest, this program represents Erskine's largest academic investment and provides a reliable pathway into business careers across South Carolina and the broader region.
The college's small scale means most programs graduate relatively few students each year, but this creates opportunities for personalized attention and close faculty mentoring that larger institutions cannot match. Students benefit from small class sizes, direct access to professors, and hands-on learning experiences that help build practical skills and professional networks. The intimate academic environment allows faculty to tailor instruction to individual student needs and provide the kind of career guidance that can be transformative for first-generation college students.
While Erskine may not offer the breadth of programs found at larger universities, the college focuses on delivering quality education in core areas that align with regional employment opportunities. The emphasis on practical skills and professional preparation, combined with the personal attention students receive, helps explain why graduates achieve earnings beyond expectations despite the college's modest profile.
Erskine College graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that exceed expectations for an institution of its size and profile. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $53,459, placing the college around the national average for earnings outcomes. More importantly, Erskine demonstrates positive value-added performance, with graduates earning about $4,061 more than similar students at comparable institutions—a meaningful earnings boost that reflects the college's ability to add value beyond what would be predicted by student characteristics alone.
The college's program portfolio centers on practical, career-focused fields that prepare students for stable employment. Business Administration and Management is Erskine's flagship program, graduating 32 students with early-career earnings around $29,685. While this represents modest starting pay, the program combines solid enrollment with consistent job placement, making it a reliable pathway for students seeking business careers in the Southeast. The college's small scale means most programs graduate relatively few students, but this also allows for personalized attention and strong faculty mentoring that can enhance career preparation and networking opportunities.
Earnings growth appears steady over time, with graduates moving from $39,618 at the six-year mark to $53,459 by year ten—a healthy trajectory that suggests Erskine alumni build valuable skills and experience as their careers progress. The college's rural South Carolina location means graduates often enter regional job markets where living costs are moderate, helping earnings stretch further than they might in higher-cost metropolitan areas.
Erskine College maintains relatively accessible pricing for a private institution, with net costs that vary modestly across income levels. Low-income students pay about $21,857 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $20,343—actually lower than what low-income students pay, reflecting the college's aid distribution patterns. Even high-income families pay $24,471 per year, which represents reasonable pricing for private college education and suggests Erskine works to keep costs manageable across the income spectrum.
Debt levels at Erskine are moderate and generally sustainable given graduate earnings. Typical students leave with about $27,000 in federal loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $14,286—both reasonable amounts relative to the college's outcomes. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations. With median earnings of $53,459 ten years out, most borrowers can handle standard repayment comfortably, and the college's positive value-added performance suggests students are getting meaningful return on their educational investment.
What makes Erskine particularly sustainable financially is the combination of moderate debt levels and steady earnings growth. The college's small size allows for personalized financial aid counseling, and the institution appears committed to keeping total costs within reach for middle-class families while providing meaningful aid to lower-income students.
Erskine College Hub Overview
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