Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Hilbert College #1107 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 54.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Hilbert College #961 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. --- Azimuth ranks Hilbert College among the top private four-year institutions for overall value, with graduates seeing meaningful earnings advantages compared with similar students elsewhere. The school's mobility ranking highlights its ability to support upward economic movement for its students.
Azimuth ranks Hilbert College #1107 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Hilbert College is a private master's college located in Hamburg, NY, enrolling approximately 921 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 63.8% freshman retention rate and a 56.3% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid student persistence and degree completion outcomes. Where Hilbert College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Hilbert College #1079 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,063, and Hilbert College earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 54.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This earnings advantage reflects the institution's focus on Security & Protective Services, a field cluster that connects directly to stable, in-demand career pathways with strong early-career compensation. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Hilbert College sits in the 41.2 percentile for access and the 38.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 48.2% Pell-eligible students and 38.1% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a more selective admissions posture typical of private master's colleges. For families that gain admission, the institution's earnings advantage — particularly in security and protective services fields — positions graduates to manage debt repayment and build long-term financial security despite higher upfront costs.
Hilbert College's published cost of attendance is $42,114. Net price by income band varies across the student population: low-income families pay approximately $20,903, middle-income families pay around $23,162, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,329. Azimuth ranks Hilbert College #883 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. Hilbert College structures financial aid through need-based and merit-based components. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships are available for qualifying students, and work-study is offered as part of the aid package. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,746; 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 $53,063, median federal debt of $24,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $280 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Hilbert College is a strong fit for students interested in Security & Protective Services and related fields who want a small, private nonprofit college experience in NY. The institution's focused program mix and regional location provide a clear pathway for students seeking careers in these areas. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,063, placing Hilbert College in the 12.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 54.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college serves a meaningful population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 48.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 38.1% are first-generation. This access-focused mission is reflected in the institution's 52.8% Pell completion rate. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 97.2% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix is concentrated in Security & Protective Services (9% of degrees). Students whose interests align with these fields will find focused academic support and clear career pathways.
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 Hilbert College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
12 graduates
Security Science and Technology
66 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
47 graduates
Human Services, General
14 graduates
Psychology, General
6 graduates
Hilbert College centers its academic portfolio on security and protective services, a distinctive focus among nonprofit four-year institutions. The largest programs by enrollment are Security Science and Technology with 66 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $54,589, followed by Criminal Justice with 47 graduates, Human Services, General with 14 graduates, Business Administration with 12 graduates, and Psychology, General with 6 graduates.
This concentration in Security & Protective Services reflects the institution's specialized mission within the broader landscape of private nonprofit higher education. The highest-earning programs at Hilbert College are Business Administration with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $58,400, Security Science and Technology with median 4-year earnings of $54,589, Criminal Justice with median 4-year earnings of $53,418, and Human Services, General with median 4-year earnings of $50,111.
These programs represent the institution's strongest economic outcomes and reflect direct pathways into stable, in-demand careers within protective services and related fields. Hilbert College's program portfolio emphasizes applied professional training aligned with workforce demand in security, law enforcement, and related sectors.
The institution program graduates 160 students annually across 8 programs, with 0 programs meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold. This focused program scale creates concentrated employer relationships and alumni networks within the protective services sector, supporting job placement and career advancement for graduates entering these fields.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Hilbert College's published cost of attendance is $42,114. Net price by income band varies across the student population: low-income families pay approximately $20,903, middle-income families pay around $23,162, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,329.
Azimuth ranks Hilbert College #883 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.
Hilbert College structures financial aid through need-based and merit-based components. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid programs.
Merit scholarships are available for qualifying students, and work-study is offered as part of the aid package. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,746; 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 $53,063, median federal debt of $24,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $280 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 Hilbert College earn median 4-year earnings of $53,063, placing Hilbert College in the 12.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs below the $57,042 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Hilbert College in the 54.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Hilbert College #1079 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
These figures represent lifetime returns relative to NY's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,204 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential). Hilbert College's program portfolio centers on Security & Protective Services, which shapes the institution's earnings profile.
Security Science and Technology is the largest program with 66 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $54,589, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Criminal Justice program graduates 47 students earning $53,418 and The Human Services, General program graduates 14 students earning $50,111.
Business Administration and Psychology, General round out the top programs, with 12 and 6 graduates respectively. The concentration in Security & Protective Services reflects the institution's specialized focus and contributes to the overall earnings trajectory for Hilbert College graduates.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Brown University Similar quality tier (#30518 ranked) | AR | 76% | $53,907 | #30518 | Compare |
Newman University Similar quality tier (#30527 ranked) | KS | 74% | $55,041 | #30527 | Compare |
Meredith College Similar quality tier (#30530 ranked) | NC | 74% | $51,539 | #30530 | Compare |
Misericordia University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#30539 ranked) | PA | 71% | $64,313 | #30539 | Compare |
Lake Erie College Similar quality tier (#30001 ranked) | OH | 70% | $50,417 | #30001 | Compare |
