Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Albion College #752 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,007 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Albion College in the 53.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment are $55,297, placing Albion College in the 30.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Azimuth ranks Albion College #752 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting broad strengths across access, affordability, and long-term graduate outcomes. Graduates earn about $1,007 less than similar students at comparable institutions, supported by median 4-year earnings of $55,297 that place Albion College in the 30.2 percentile nationally.
Azimuth ranks Albion College #752 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Albion, Michigan, Albion College enrolls roughly 1,300 undergraduates. Retention stands at 70.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 61.6%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts college. Where Albion College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Albion College #834 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,007 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Albion College in the 53.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college's program portfolio, anchored in Business, connects students to career pathways that deliver measurable financial returns relative to comparable institutions. Access and affordability complete the composite picture. Albion College enrolls 47.5% Pell-eligible students and 28.0% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the college as accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. Azimuth ranks Albion College in the 53.9 percentile for access and the 56.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For a private liberal arts college, Albion College balances strong return on investment with meaningful access for low-income and first-generation students, making it a solid choice for families seeking both financial outcomes and educational opportunity.
Albion College's published cost of attendance is $69,986. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,036, middle-income families pay around $12,085, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,368. Azimuth ranks Albion College #626 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Albion College uses need-based aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs, with aid packages typically combining grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and, where required, institutional aid forms; the financial aid office works to meet demonstrated need according to the college's aid policies. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $32,317; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,297, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Albion College is a strong fit for students interested in Business and similar applied fields who want a private liberal arts college experience in MI's Midwest region. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $55,297, placing Albion College in the 30.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,007 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 53.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 47.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.0% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $24,368, with typical federal student loan debt at graduation around $27,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 80.7% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Albion College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Albion College's published cost of attendance is $69,986. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,036, middle-income families pay around $12,085, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,368.
Azimuth ranks Albion College #626 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Albion College uses need-based aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs, with aid packages typically combining grants, loans, and work-study.
Families apply using the FAFSA and, where required, institutional aid forms; the financial aid office works to meet demonstrated need according to the college's aid policies. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $32,317; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,297, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Albion College earn median 4-year earnings of $55,297, placing Albion College in the 30.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,007 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Albion College in the 53.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Albion College #834 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Albion College's concentration in business and professional fields.
Research Psychology is the largest program with 38 graduates, anchoring the institution's economic profile. The Kinesiology program graduates 37 students earning median 4-year earnings of $49,451, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field.
The Biology, General program graduates 30 students with median 4-year earnings of $61,092, at 1.1x benchmark, while Finance and Finance round out the top programs with 22 and 20 graduates respectively. These outcomes correspond to Albion College's dominant focus on Business, which drives consistent mid-career earnings and positions graduates for stable professional advancement.
Finance and Financial Management Services
22 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
9 graduates
Economics
13 graduates
Biology, General
30 graduates
Communication and Media Studies
13 graduates
Albion College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's liberal arts identity with a career-focused orientation. Business Administration and Management is the largest program with 98 graduates, followed by Psychology with 59 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $38,000, Biology with 55 graduates earning $36,000, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science with 49 graduates earning $35,000.
Across 22 programs, 18 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold among nonprofit four-year institutions, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes. The highest-earning programs at Albion College cluster in business and applied fields.
Business Administration and Management leads with 98 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $46,000, followed by Accounting with 29 graduates earning $45,000, Economics with 17 graduates earning $44,000, Finance with 25 graduates earning $43,000, and Political Science and Government with 23 graduates earning $40,000. This concentration in business and applied professional fields aligns with the institution's positioning as a career-oriented liberal arts college where employers actively recruit across multiple program areas.
Most of Albion College's dominant programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes. The supply and demand for college graduates framework provides context for how these business and applied fields align with national hiring patterns and wage trends in professional services and management sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mount Mary University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#21360 ranked) | WI | 62% | $48,745 | #21360 | Compare |
Anna Maria College Similar quality tier (#21375 ranked) | MA | 50% | $46,651 | #21375 | Compare |
Brandeis University Similar quality tier (#21352 ranked) | MA | 41% | $77,231 | #21352 | Compare |
St. Thomas University Similar quality tier (#21350 ranked) | FL | 98% | $54,272 | #21350 | Compare |
Carroll University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#20829 ranked) | WI | 67% | $58,009 | #20829 | Compare |
