Gustavus Adolphus College's published cost of attendance is $67,613, but need-based aid substantially reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,015; middle-income families pay around $13,875; higher-income families pay approximately $29,674.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $67,613 |
| Tuition and Fees | $56,076 |
| Room and Board | $11,804 |
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$44,713 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $22,900 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $12,015 |
| $30–48k | $10,783 |
| $48–75k | $13,875 |
| $75–110k | $19,015 |
| $110k+ | $29,674 |
Gustavus Adolphus College's published cost of attendance is $67,613, but need-based aid substantially reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,015; middle-income families pay around $13,875; higher-income families pay approximately $29,674. Azimuth ranks Gustavus Adolphus College #1010 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. Gustavus Adolphus College's aid structure emphasizes need-based support, with families applying through the FAFSA to determine eligibility for institutional grants and federal aid programs. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs, and work-study is available as part of aid packages for qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,774, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $34,265; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $61,015, median federal debt of $26,774 projects to a monthly payment of about $303 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn median 4-year earnings of $61,015, placing Gustavus Adolphus College in the 46.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,050 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Gustavus Adolphus College in the 23.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Gustavus Adolphus College #813 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect a liberal arts institution with a strong social sciences foundation and consistent early-career earnings across its program portfolio. The earnings pattern is anchored by Psychology, General, which combines substantial enrollment with solid four-year earnings. Psychology, General is the largest program with 66 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $53,277, representing 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 52 students earning $54,202, while Business/Commerce, General with 43 graduates reaches $79,260. Kinesiology and Communication and Media Studies round out the top programs, each delivering four-year earnings in line with or above their respective field benchmarks. The concentration in Social Sciences — which represents the institution's primary degree focus — supports predictable, moderate-to-strong outcomes across the student body, with graduates typically entering stable professional and analytical careers in the region and beyond.
