Morehouse College offers the unique value of a prestigious historically Black institution with extensive alumni networks and leadership development opportunities.
The college serves as a Mobility Engine, providing meaningful access for underrepresented students while maintaining the distinctive educational experience that defines the HBCU tradition.
Morehouse College is a prestigious historically Black college for men located in Atlanta, Georgia. As a medium-sized private institution, Morehouse serves about 44% Pell Grant recipients and nearly 20% first-generation college students, reflecting its commitment to access within the HBCU tradition. The college operates as a "Mobility Engine," combining meaningful access for underrepresented students with solid outcomes, though earnings tend to be more moderate compared to larger research universities.
Morehouse graduates earn a median of $52,889 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower portion of national earnings distributions but reflects the college's focus on fields like business, sociology, and economics rather than high-paying STEM disciplines. The college's strength lies in its tight-knit community, extensive alumni network, and the unique educational experience of an HBCU environment.
For students who value the Morehouse tradition, mentorship opportunities, and cultural significance, the college provides a distinctive educational pathway. While net prices run higher than typical public options, many families view the investment as worthwhile for the personal development, leadership training, and lifelong connections that define the Morehouse experience.
Morehouse College's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts foundation with particular strength in business and social sciences. Business Administration serves as the college's flagship program, graduating 107 students annually with solid median earnings of $49,722, making it both the largest and most financially successful major. This program benefits from Morehouse's extensive alumni network in corporate America and provides strong preparation for business careers.
Applied Economics, though smaller with 22 graduates, produces some of the college's highest earners at $59,417 in median income, reflecting the analytical skills and quantitative training that employers value. Applied/Public Sociology represents another significant area of study, graduating 34 students annually, though early-career earnings around $25,774 are more modest and often require additional education or experience for higher compensation.
The program mix reflects Morehouse's mission as a liberal arts institution focused on developing leaders and critical thinkers rather than maximizing immediate earnings. Many graduates pursue graduate school or enter fields where the Morehouse name, alumni network, and leadership training provide advantages that extend well beyond early-career salary figures, contributing to long-term success in business, law, medicine, education, and public service.
Morehouse College graduates achieve moderate but steady long-term earnings, with a median of $52,889 ten years after enrollment. While this places the college below many larger research universities in absolute earnings terms, it reflects Morehouse's focus on liberal arts, business, and social sciences rather than high-paying technical fields. The college's return on investment centers more on the distinctive educational experience, alumni network, and leadership development opportunities than purely financial metrics.
Business Administration stands out as Morehouse's largest and most financially successful program, graduating 107 students annually with median earnings of $49,722. Applied Economics, though smaller with 22 graduates, produces some of the highest earners at $59,417 in median income. Applied/Public Sociology represents a significant portion of graduates but leads to more modest early-career earnings around $25,774, typical for social science fields that often require additional education or experience for higher compensation.
The college's value proposition extends beyond immediate earnings to include the powerful Morehouse alumni network, leadership development, and the unique educational environment of a historically Black institution. Many graduates pursue graduate school or enter fields where the Morehouse name and network provide significant advantages that may not be immediately reflected in early-career salary data.
Affordability represents a significant challenge at Morehouse College, with net prices that are substantially higher than typical public universities. Low-income students face annual costs of $32,679, middle-income families pay around $37,266, and high-income families see costs near $39,174. These figures place Morehouse among the more expensive college options nationally, reflecting its status as a private institution without the state subsidies that support public universities.
The high costs mean that most families rely heavily on borrowing to finance a Morehouse education. Federal student loan debt averages $25,000, which is manageable but significant, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages nearly $50,000 — a substantial family investment that requires careful financial planning. The college does maintain a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully despite the higher borrowing levels.
For many families, the decision to attend Morehouse involves weighing the higher upfront costs against the unique value of the HBCU experience, alumni network, and personal development opportunities. While the financial investment is considerable, families often view it as worthwhile for students who will thrive in Morehouse's distinctive educational environment and benefit from its extensive alumni connections throughout their careers.
Morehouse College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
