Students at Monmouth College benefit from a debt management track record that shows 100% of graduates successfully avoid federal loan default.
The college combines meaningful financial aid with a close-knit educational experience that supports students from diverse economic backgrounds through degree completion.
Monmouth College is a small private liberal arts institution in Illinois that emphasizes personal attention and community engagement over pure financial outcomes. While the college doesn't rank among the top performers nationally for earnings or affordability metrics, it serves a specific niche for students who prioritize the intimate educational experience that comes with fewer than 1,200 students. About 31% of students receive Pell Grants and 32% are first-generation college students, showing meaningful access for a private institution.
Graduates earn a median of $51,110 ten years after enrollment, which places the college around the national average for earnings outcomes. The institution's strength lies not in maximizing financial returns but in providing a supportive environment where students from diverse backgrounds can complete their degrees. With a 60% six-year graduation rate, Monmouth demonstrates solid completion outcomes for a small private college.
As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Monmouth combines moderate access with steady, if not exceptional, outcomes for the students it serves. The college represents a traditional liberal arts model focused on undergraduate education, personal mentorship, and preparing students for careers that may not always command the highest starting salaries but offer meaningful professional development over time.
Monmouth College's program portfolio reflects a traditional liberal arts approach with business administration serving as the primary professional preparation pathway. Business Administration enrolls 43 students annually and generates the strongest aggregate economic returns, with graduates earning around $36,560 in early career. This represents solid preparation for management, sales, and entrepreneurial roles that can grow over time with experience.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology represents the college's second-largest program with 23 graduates, reflecting student interest in health and fitness careers. Early earnings of $31,708 are typical for this field, which often requires additional certification or graduate study to reach higher income levels. The program serves students interested in athletic training, physical therapy preparation, or fitness industry careers.
The college's small scale means fewer graduates in each field compared to larger institutions, but this also creates opportunities for more individualized attention from faculty and stronger mentoring relationships. Students benefit from small class sizes and direct access to professors, which can be particularly valuable for those planning graduate school or seeking personalized career guidance in their chosen fields.
Graduates of Monmouth College see moderate long-term financial outcomes that reflect the institution's liberal arts focus. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $51,110, which places the college around the national average for earnings performance. The college's outcomes show that while graduates don't achieve the highest earning potential, they do find stable employment in their chosen fields, with 22 students earning more than $75,000 annually in recent cohorts.
The strongest financial returns come from business administration, which enrolls 43 graduates annually and represents the college's largest program by total economic impact. Business majors earn around $36,560 in early career, providing a solid foundation for professional growth. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, the second-largest program with 23 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $31,708, typical for health and fitness-related fields that often require additional certification or graduate study.
Monmouth's program portfolio reflects a traditional liberal arts approach, with business serving as the primary professional preparation alongside health sciences and education-focused majors. The college's small scale means fewer total graduates in each field, but this also translates to more individualized career guidance and stronger faculty-student relationships that can benefit long-term professional development even when starting salaries are moderate.
Affordability at Monmouth College varies significantly by family income, as is typical for private liberal arts institutions. Low-income students pay about $12,780 per year after aid, which represents substantial financial support from the college's aid programs. Middle-income families see annual costs around $15,568, while higher-income families pay approximately $22,788 annually, reflecting the institution's commitment to need-based assistance.
Debt levels require careful consideration for prospective families. Typical graduates leave with about $27,000 in federal student loan debt, which is manageable but represents a meaningful financial commitment given the college's moderate earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $17,036, adding to the total family investment in a Monmouth education. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully, though this may reflect the supportive nature of the alumni network and career services rather than exceptionally high earnings.
For families considering Monmouth, the key affordability question centers on whether the personalized liberal arts experience justifies the investment given moderate post-graduation earnings. The college's strong need-based aid helps make it accessible to lower-income students, but middle and higher-income families should carefully evaluate the total cost relative to expected career outcomes in their student's chosen field.
Monmouth College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
