Students at Meredith College achieve steady financial outcomes that reflect the value of personalized education and strong career preparation.
The college's graduates demonstrate exceptional financial responsibility, with zero loan defaults and consistently strong repayment patterns that exceed national benchmarks.
Meredith College is a small private women's college in Raleigh, North Carolina, that combines personalized education with solid long-term financial outcomes. With graduates earning a median of $51,539 ten years after enrollment, the college performs above average nationally for earnings, ranking in the 62nd percentile among similar institutions. What distinguishes Meredith is its intimate academic environment, where about 33% of students receive Pell Grants and 22% are first-generation college students, creating a diverse community despite its private college setting.
The college's strength lies in preparing students for stable, meaningful careers rather than maximizing immediate financial returns. Popular programs in psychology, biology, and business administration provide solid foundations for graduate school or direct entry into professional fields. As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Meredith focuses on supporting students who might not have access to elite universities but still want strong educational outcomes and career preparation.
For families seeking a women's college experience with reasonable debt levels and proven graduate success, Meredith offers the benefits of small class sizes, close faculty relationships, and a supportive alumni network in the Research Triangle area. The college balances accessibility with quality outcomes, making it a practical choice for students who want personalized attention and solid career preparation.
Meredith College's program portfolio reflects its mission as a women's college focused on preparing students for meaningful careers and graduate education. Psychology leads with 53 graduates who often continue to graduate school in counseling, social work, or clinical psychology, explaining the lower initial earnings of $29,141 but strong long-term career potential. Biology, with 40 graduates earning $36,166 early in their careers, serves as a foundation for medical school, veterinary programs, and graduate studies in the sciences.
Business Administration provides the most direct path to immediate career success, with 32 graduates earning $43,798 early in their careers and entering management, marketing, and professional services roles. This program represents Meredith's strength in preparing women for leadership positions in the Research Triangle's diverse economy.
The college's program mix emphasizes foundational disciplines that prepare students for graduate education and professional development rather than immediate high earnings. This approach aligns with Meredith's mission of developing women leaders who often choose careers in education, healthcare, social services, and business management—fields that prioritize service and long-term career growth over maximum starting compensation.
Graduates of Meredith College achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the value of a personalized liberal arts education. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $51,539, placing the college above average nationally for graduate earnings. While this represents steady financial progress, earnings growth is more gradual than at larger research universities, with six-year median earnings of $45,293 showing consistent but measured career advancement over time.
The college's program mix drives varied but stable outcomes across fields. Psychology graduates, representing the largest program with 53 students, earn around $29,141 early in their careers but often pursue graduate education that leads to higher long-term earnings in counseling, social work, and related fields. Biology majors, with 40 graduates, see early earnings of about $36,166 and frequently continue to medical school, veterinary programs, or graduate studies in the sciences. Business Administration graduates achieve the strongest immediate returns, earning approximately $43,798 early in their careers and entering stable management and professional roles.
Meredith's strength lies in preparing students for careers that emphasize stability and growth potential rather than immediate high earnings. The college's focus on foundational disciplines like psychology, biology, and business creates pathways to graduate school and professional development, where many graduates see their earnings increase substantially in the years following their initial career entry.
Meredith College maintains reasonable affordability for a private institution, with net prices that vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay about $14,882 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $17,521 per year, both representing substantial discounts from the sticker price. Higher-income families pay approximately $28,045 annually, reflecting the college's commitment to need-based aid while maintaining financial sustainability.
Debt levels require careful consideration but remain manageable for most graduates. Typical students leave with about $25,000 in federal loan debt, a moderate amount that aligns with the college's focus on accessibility. However, Parent PLUS borrowing averages $39,072, indicating that many families choose to contribute significantly to their daughters' education costs. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, demonstrating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations after graduation.
What makes Meredith financially sustainable is the combination of reasonable debt levels and steady graduate earnings. With median earnings of $51,539 ten years out, most borrowers can handle standard loan repayment without significant financial strain. The college's loan repayment patterns show that graduates consistently pay down their balances, with strong performance compared to national benchmarks for balance reduction and borrower success.
Meredith College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
