Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Elizabethtown College #1178 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,473 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Elizabethtown College in the 38.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Elizabethtown College #579 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Elizabethtown College #1178 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College enrolls roughly 1,868 undergraduates. Retention is 83.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 76.2%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Where Elizabethtown College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Elizabethtown College #579 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,473 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Elizabethtown College in the 38.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Business, which aligns well with regional labor-market demand and contributes to solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Elizabethtown College sits in the 11.2 percentile for access and the 13.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 20.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.0% are first-generation college students, reflecting a moderately selective admissions posture. Mobility outcomes are solid, placing the institution in the 43.3 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. For many families seeking a private institution with strong return on investment and accessible admission, Elizabethtown College offers a balanced value proposition grounded in reliable earnings outcomes and regional opportunity.
Elizabethtown College's published cost of attendance is $50,865. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $17,776, middle-income families pay around $20,967, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,198. Azimuth ranks Elizabethtown College #1233 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. Elizabethtown College uses need-based financial aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA; merit aid availability and specific aid-package composition should be confirmed directly with the college's financial aid office, as institutional aid policies can shift year to year. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $51,299; 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 $66,236, 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.
Elizabethtown College is a strong fit for students drawn to business and applied fields who want a private college experience in PA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $66,236, placing Elizabethtown College in the 70.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $4,473 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 38.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 20.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 30.0% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Elizabethtown College in the 78.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 77.9% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and applied fields over purely academic ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive.
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
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Elizabethtown 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.
Elizabethtown College's published cost of attendance is $50,865. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $17,776, middle-income families pay around $20,967, and higher-income families pay approximately $31,198.
Azimuth ranks Elizabethtown College #1233 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.
Elizabethtown College uses need-based financial aid to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply using the FAFSA; merit aid availability and specific aid-package composition should be confirmed directly with the college's financial aid office, as institutional aid policies can shift year to year. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $51,299; 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 $66,236, 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 Elizabethtown College earn median 4-year earnings of $66,236, placing the institution in the 70.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,473 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Elizabethtown College in the 38.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Elizabethtown College #579 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on Business and related professional fields.
Behavioral Sciences is the largest program with 56 graduates, followed by Business Administration with 55 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $73,358, which runs 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Engineering program graduates 34 students with median 4-year earnings of $88,104 — 1.0x the benchmark — while Teacher Education and Biology, General round out the top five, each delivering solid early-career outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand.
Engineering, General
34 graduates
Health and Medical Administrative Services
5 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
15 graduates
Biology, General
18 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
55 graduates
Elizabethtown College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts college with applied career focus. Behavioral Sciences is the largest program with 56 graduates, followed by Business Administration with 55 graduates earning median earnings of $73,358 four years after enrollment, Engineering with 34 graduates earning $88,104, Teacher Education with 30 graduates earning $54,337, and Biology, General with 18 graduates earning $73,542.
The institution's program portfolio spans 24 programs, with 0 meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied professional fields.
Engineering leads with median earnings of $88,104 four years after enrollment across 34 graduates, followed by Accounting with 15 graduates earning $83,075, Biology, General with 18 graduates earning $73,542, Business Administration with 55 graduates earning $73,358, and Teacher Education with 30 graduates earning $54,337. This earnings distribution reflects the institution's concentration in Business, which accounts for 23% of graduates, alongside Education at 11% and Engineering at 9%.
The program-mix signature emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways in business, accounting, nursing, and related applied fields where graduates enter stable careers immediately after completion. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand in professional services and healthcare sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart William Smith Colleges Similar quality tier in Northeast (#30584 ranked) | NY | 64% | $68,831 | #30584 | Compare |
Westminster College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#30588 ranked) | PA | 93% | $53,861 | #30588 | Compare |
Whittier College Similar quality tier (#30583 ranked) | CA | 81% | $59,492 | #30583 | Compare |
Millikin University Similar quality tier (#30580 ranked) | IL | 67% | $51,262 | #30580 | Compare |
University Of Jamestown Similar quality tier (#30590 ranked) | ND | 88% | $56,621 | #30590 | Compare |
