Students from low-income backgrounds at Oglethorpe University achieve notably strong earnings outcomes, ranking in the top third nationally for long-term financial success.
The university combines this mobility potential with more accessible pricing than typical private colleges, making it a viable option for families seeking private education value.
Oglethorpe University is a small private liberal arts college in Atlanta that offers an intimate educational experience with moderate long-term financial outcomes. With fewer than 1,500 students, Oglethorpe provides the close-knit community and personalized attention that many families seek from private higher education, while maintaining more accessible pricing than many peer institutions. The university serves a moderately diverse student body, with about 34% of students receiving Pell Grants and roughly 20% being first-generation college students.
Graduates earn a median of $55,232 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the 42nd percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. While these results are solid for a small liberal arts college, they reflect the reality that Oglethorpe's graduates often pursue careers in education, social services, and other fields that prioritize personal fulfillment over maximum earning potential. The university's location in Atlanta provides access to internships and job opportunities in a major metropolitan area, which helps offset some of the earnings limitations common to small liberal arts institutions.
For families seeking a private college experience without the premium pricing of elite institutions, Oglethorpe represents a middle path. Net prices range from about $17,338 for low-income families to $24,561 for higher-income households, making it more accessible than many private colleges while still requiring significant family investment. The university's "Selective Achievers" mobility profile indicates it serves students well academically but with more limited access for low-income students compared to public alternatives.
Oglethorpe University's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts mission while concentrating strength in a few key areas that drive both enrollment and economic outcomes. Business Administration stands out as both the largest program, graduating 55 students annually, and the strongest economic performer with early-career earnings of $38,289. This combination makes business the university's primary economic engine, providing a practical foundation that appeals to students seeking clear career pathways while maintaining the broad intellectual development characteristic of liberal arts education.
Biology represents the second-largest program with 30 graduates, though early earnings of $21,052 reflect the reality that many biology majors continue to graduate school in health sciences, research, or related fields. This pattern is typical for small liberal arts colleges, where undergraduate programs often serve as preparation for advanced study rather than immediate career entry. The modest early earnings in biology should be viewed in the context of longer-term career trajectories that often include graduate or professional school.
The concentration of strength in just two major programs reflects both Oglethorpe's small scale and its focused approach to academic programming. While this creates clear pathways for students in business and biological sciences, it also means that students interested in other fields may find fewer resources and smaller peer networks. The university's Atlanta location helps offset some of these limitations by providing access to internships and career opportunities across a broader range of industries than the academic program mix might suggest.
Oglethorpe University graduates achieve moderate long-term earnings that reflect both the institution's liberal arts focus and the career paths its students typically pursue. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $55,232, which places the university around the 42nd percentile nationally. While these earnings are solid for a small private college, they fall somewhat below what similar students achieve at other institutions, reflecting the reality that many Oglethorpe graduates enter fields like education, social work, and nonprofit sectors that prioritize mission over maximum compensation.
The university's program mix centers heavily on business administration and biology, which represent its largest and highest-return majors respectively. Business Administration graduates about 55 students annually with median earnings of $38,289 early in their careers, making it both the most popular program and the strongest contributor to overall institutional returns. Biology, the second-largest program with 30 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $21,052, typical for students who often continue to graduate school in health sciences or research fields. This pattern reflects Oglethorpe's role as a stepping stone institution where many students use their undergraduate degree as preparation for advanced study rather than immediate career entry.
The university's Atlanta location provides meaningful advantages for internships and early career opportunities, particularly in business, healthcare, and education sectors. However, the small scale of individual programs means that employer recruitment and alumni networks may be more limited compared to larger institutions, which can affect both initial job placement and long-term career advancement opportunities.
Oglethorpe University offers relatively accessible pricing for a private institution, though families should expect to make a significant financial commitment. Low-income students pay about $17,338 annually after aid, which is competitive with many public universities and well below typical private college costs. Middle-income families see net prices around $20,321, while higher-income households pay approximately $24,561 per year. These price points place Oglethorpe in the more affordable tier of private colleges, though still requiring substantial family resources compared to public alternatives.
The university's financial aid approach appears particularly supportive of middle-income families, who often struggle with affordability gaps at other private institutions. The relatively modest increase in net price as family income rises suggests that Oglethorpe provides meaningful aid across income levels rather than concentrating all support on the lowest-income students. This pricing structure makes the institution accessible to a broader range of families seeking a private college experience without the premium costs associated with highly selective liberal arts colleges.
Debt levels are manageable but require careful planning. Typical graduates leave with $25,000 in federal student loans, while families who choose Parent PLUS borrowing take on an average of $27,953. Given Oglethorpe's median graduate earnings of $55,232, most borrowers can handle standard repayment terms, though the debt-to-income ratio requires graduates to be thoughtful about early career spending and financial planning.
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