Solid graduate outcomes with earnings above the peer average.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Centre College graduates demonstrate steady earnings advancement from early to mid-career periods. Median earnings rise from $50,073 six years after enrollment to $59,224 at eight years and reach $66,240 at ten years, representing 32.3% growth from the six-year to ten-year measurement period.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Strong relative performance — graduates earn notably more than peers at comparable institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $27,000 in debt with typical earnings.
Centre College graduates carry median debt of $27,000, which is $2,000 higher than the peer median of $25,000 but remains manageable relative to earnings outcomes. Debt levels range from $14,000 at the 25th percentile to $27,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating relatively consistent borrowing patterns across students.
Centre College achieves well above average return on investment, ranking at the 88th percentile nationally with strong long-term value delivery. Graduates earn around the national average when adjusted for student characteristics, performing $1,380 below expectations at the 49.9th percentile for earnings beyond expectations.
Approximately 22% of Centre College graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting the institution's role in preparing students for ...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Centre College's strongest earnings outcomes emerge from Applied Economics ($67,177), American Government and Politics ($65,598), and Catalan Language and Literature ($65,445), all demonstrating competitive career preparation. These three programs produce graduates earning above the institutional median while maintaining strong value scores and national recognition.
In contrast, Biology graduates earn $22,771, reflecting typical patterns for life sciences programs where many graduates pursue additional education before reaching peak earning potential. International/Globalization Studies graduates earn $35,367, representing moderate outcomes that may develop over longer career trajectories.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
The earnings distribution at Centre College spans from $45,965 at the 25th percentile to $98,933 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.2:1 ratio that demonstrates meaningful variation in career outcomes. This spread reflects the diverse career pathways available through liberal arts education, from public service and education to business and specialized professional roles.
