Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Berry College #1077 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $15,152 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 10.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Berry College #1086 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Berry College is a private master's university in Mount Berry, Georgia, enrolling roughly 2,245 undergraduates. Retention stands at 83.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 69.5%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts–focused institution. 26.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 16.9% are first-generation college students, positioning Berry as an access-oriented private institution. Azimuth ranks Berry College #1077 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. The composite reflects balanced strength across return and affordability. Azimuth ranks Berry College #1086 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $15,152 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Berry College in the 10.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in Business, a field that typically delivers solid mid-career earnings and stable career pathways. Access and mobility sit lower in the composite, reflecting Berry's smaller scale and residential model. Berry College sits in the 48.2 percentile for access and the 30.1 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families prioritizing affordability alongside meaningful long-term financial outcomes, Berry's combination of need-based aid, moderate sticker price, and earnings-beyond-expectations performance makes it a compelling option among private master's institutions.
Berry College's published cost of attendance is $56,697. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,189, middle-income families pay around $19,283, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,116. Azimuth ranks Berry College #843 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. Berry College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid packages combining federal, state, and institutional resources. The college participates in federal aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Merit scholarships may also be available depending on academic and other qualifications; prospective students should review the college's financial aid page for current aid policies and application requirements. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $29,771; 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 $58,750, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Berry College is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a private liberal arts experience in GA's rural setting. The college's program mix leans heavily toward Business, representing 20% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,750, placing Berry College in the 38.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $15,152 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 10.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college enrolls 26.8% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 16.9% who are first-generation students. Published cost of attendance is $28,116, with median federal debt at graduation of $23,250. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 64.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the rural campus location may not suit all students. Those comfortable with these factors will find strong outcomes relative to GA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Berry 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.
Berry College's published cost of attendance is $56,697. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $18,189, middle-income families pay around $19,283, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,116.
Azimuth ranks Berry College #843 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.
Berry College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid packages combining federal, state, and institutional resources. The college participates in federal aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility.
Merit scholarships may also be available depending on academic and other qualifications; prospective students should review the college's financial aid page for current aid policies and application requirements. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $29,771; 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 $58,750, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 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 Berry College earn median 4-year earnings of $58,750, placing Berry College in the 38.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $15,152 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Berry College in the 10.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Berry College #1086 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Berry College's concentration in business and professional fields.
Zoology/Animal Biology is the largest program with 35 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $48,958, representing 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Kinesiology program graduates 35 students with median 4-year earnings of $54,278, and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other contributes 33 graduates earning $50,593.
Together, these programs anchor Berry College's return profile and demonstrate how business-focused preparation translates into solid early-career financial outcomes for graduates entering professional and managerial roles.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Life University Higher acceptance rate (32 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 46 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 94% | $47,397 | Compare |
Brenau University Higher acceptance rate (25.1 percentage points higher) and located 78 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 87% | $54,003 | Compare |
Covenant College Higher acceptance rate (19.9 percentage points higher) and located 48 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 82% | $50,412 | Compare |
Eckerd College Higher acceptance rate (16.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | FL | 79% | $51,819 | Compare |
Central College Higher acceptance rate (17.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | IA | 79% | $54,317 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charleston Southern University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30561 ranked) | SC | 96% | $45,898 | #30561 | Compare |
Southern Adventist University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30559 ranked) | TN | 66% | $53,723 | #30559 | Compare |
Mercyhurst University Similar quality tier (#30562 ranked) | PA | 81% | $47,452 | #30562 | Compare |
Scripps College Similar quality tier (#30563 ranked) | CA | 38% | $77,539 | #30563 | Compare |
Morehouse College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#30564 ranked) | GA | 44% | $52,889 | #30564 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
32 graduates
Marketing
18 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
26 graduates
Political Science and Government
6 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
35 graduates
Berry College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's liberal arts foundation with a career-focused orientation. Zoology/Animal Biology is the largest program with 35 graduates, followed by Kinesiology, Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other, Nursing, and Psychology, General.
Across 26 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering strong four-year earnings outcomes. The earnings pattern reflects strength in business and applied professional fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $83,008 four years after enrollment from a cohort of 32 graduates. Digital Marketing follows with $79,602 median earnings across 18 graduates, and Business Administration delivers $61,160 with 26 graduates.
Kinesiology and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other round out the strongest performers, earning $54,278 and $50,593 respectively. The concentration in Business — accounting for 20% of degrees — aligns with the institution's positioning as a career-preparation focused liberal arts college.
Berry College graduates enter high-mobility career pathways where four-year earnings reflect direct labor-market outcomes. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework provides context for how these dominant program families align with national wage trends and employer demand in professional services, accounting, and business administration sectors.
