Students at Rhodes College achieve strong long-term earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally for career outcomes.
The combination of rigorous academics, personalized attention, and extensive career support creates clear pathways to professional and financial success.
Rhodes College is a highly selective private liberal arts college in Memphis, Tennessee, known for delivering exceptional long-term financial outcomes despite its higher price point. With just over 2,000 students, Rhodes combines the intimate academic environment of a small college with the career preparation and alumni networks typically associated with much larger institutions. The college attracts academically accomplished students, with only about 15% receiving Pell Grants and 13% being first-generation college students, reflecting its appeal to families who prioritize educational quality and are willing to invest significantly in their student's future.
Graduates earn a median of $66,651 ten years after enrollment, placing Rhodes in the 81st percentile nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. This strong performance reflects both the college's rigorous academic preparation and its ability to connect students with high-paying career opportunities. The college's small size allows for intensive mentoring and career guidance, while its Memphis location provides access to internships and job opportunities in healthcare, business, and professional services.
What makes Rhodes particularly compelling is how consistently it delivers on its promise of strong career preparation. With an 82% six-year graduation rate and virtually no loan defaults, the college demonstrates remarkable success in helping students complete their degrees and transition successfully into the workforce or graduate school. For families who can manage the higher net costs, Rhodes represents a clear pathway to strong long-term financial outcomes and professional success.
Rhodes College's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts mission while maintaining strong connections to high-paying career paths. Business Administration leads both in enrollment and aggregate return, with 83 graduates earning solid early-career salaries that position them well for advancement in corporate and entrepreneurial roles. The program's strength reflects Rhodes' location in Memphis, a major business and logistics hub, combined with the college's extensive alumni networks in major metropolitan areas.
Computer Science, though smaller with 25 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at $61,516 median income, demonstrating Rhodes' ability to compete with larger universities in preparing students for technology careers. Biology, the second-largest program with 46 graduates, shows more modest early earnings but serves primarily as preparation for medical school, veterinary school, and other graduate programs that lead to substantial long-term income growth.
The college's small size enables intensive mentoring and career guidance across all programs, helping students identify and pursue the highest-return opportunities within their chosen fields. Strong alumni networks, particularly in healthcare, business, and professional services, provide access to internships and entry-level positions that set graduates up for long-term career success. This combination of academic rigor, personalized attention, and strategic career planning helps explain why Rhodes graduates consistently achieve strong financial outcomes regardless of their major.
Rhodes College graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that justify the institution's higher costs. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $66,651, placing the college in the top 20% nationally for earnings outcomes. This performance reflects Rhodes' success in preparing students for high-paying careers in business, healthcare, technology, and professional services, with many graduates pursuing advanced degrees that further enhance their earning potential.
The college's program mix drives much of this success. Business Administration stands out as both the most popular major and highest aggregate return program, with 83 graduates earning a median of $48,667 early in their careers. Computer Science, though smaller with 25 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at $61,516 median income. Biology, the second-largest program with 46 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $21,234 but often serves as preparation for medical school and other graduate programs that lead to substantial long-term income growth.
Rhodes' small size and intensive academic environment contribute significantly to these outcomes. The college's 11:1 student-faculty ratio enables personalized career guidance and mentoring that helps students identify and pursue high-return career paths. Strong alumni networks in major metropolitan areas, combined with the college's reputation for academic rigor, open doors to competitive internships and entry-level positions that set graduates up for long-term career success.
Rhodes College requires a significant financial commitment, particularly for middle- and upper-income families. Low-income students pay about $12,814 annually after aid, which is competitive with many public universities, but middle-income families face costs around $16,317 per year, and high-income families pay approximately $33,764 annually. These net prices reflect Rhodes' position as a premium private institution that invests heavily in small class sizes, extensive student support services, and comprehensive career preparation.
The college's aid strategy focuses on making attendance possible for academically qualified students across income levels, though the financial commitment remains substantial for most families. With median federal student loan debt of $21,761 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $45,200, families typically combine multiple funding sources to cover Rhodes' costs. The college's zero percent federal loan default rate demonstrates that graduates can successfully manage their debt obligations, largely due to strong post-graduation earnings and career outcomes.
What makes Rhodes' pricing sustainable is the long-term return on investment. While upfront costs are high, graduates' strong earnings trajectory and low default rates indicate that most students can comfortably service their educational debt. The college's comprehensive career services, extensive alumni networks, and reputation for academic excellence help justify the premium pricing for families who prioritize educational quality and long-term career preparation over lower initial costs.
Rhodes College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
