Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Ripon College #1005 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,210, placing Ripon College in the 10.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Ripon College #437 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Ripon College #1005 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Ripon, Wisconsin, Ripon College enrolls roughly 688 undergraduates. Retention is 72.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 63.3%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts institution. Where Ripon College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Ripon College #987 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,210, a figure that reflects the institution's strength in preparing students for stable careers. The college's academic portfolio leans toward Social Sciences, a concentration that aligns with regional labor-market demand and supports graduates into careers with consistent long-term earnings growth. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Ripon College enrolls 33.8% Pell-eligible students and 28.1% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the college in the 18.6 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability ranks in the 37.7 percentile, reflecting the institution's private tuition structure and the financial aid available to admitted students. Mobility sits in the 70.5 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings outcomes, the institution serves a more geographically and economically concentrated student population than some peer institutions.
Ripon College's published cost of attendance is $63,540, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $15,712; middle-income families pay around $16,971; and higher-income families pay approximately $25,280. Azimuth ranks Ripon College #888 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. Ripon College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid packages combining institutional grants, federal aid, and work-study opportunities. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the college's aid office works to meet demonstrated financial need as part of its enrollment commitment. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,995; 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 $50,210, 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.
Ripon College is a strong fit for students seeking a small private college experience in WI with a focus on the social sciences and humanities. Its intimate campus and personalized approach appeal to students who thrive in close-knit academic communities. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,210, placing Ripon College in the 10.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's strength in Social Sciences, which accounts for 14% of degrees awarded. The college enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 33.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.1% are first-generation. This accessibility is complemented by a 58.8% Pell graduation rate, showing Ripon's ability to support students from diverse backgrounds to completion. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 79.8% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors liberal arts fields over applied-professional ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find Ripon College a compelling option.
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 Ripon 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.
Ripon College's published cost of attendance is $63,540, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $15,712; middle-income families pay around $16,971; and higher-income families pay approximately $25,280.
Azimuth ranks Ripon College #888 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.
Ripon College's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid packages combining institutional grants, federal aid, and work-study opportunities. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the college's aid office works to meet demonstrated financial need as part of its enrollment commitment. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,995; 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 $50,210, 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 Ripon College earn median 4-year earnings of $50,210, placing Ripon College in the 10.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Ripon College #987 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
This outcome reflects both the college's social-sciences focus and its ability to position graduates into stable career pathways that generate solid long-term financial returns relative to the cost of attendance. The earnings pattern centers on Social Sciences, which shapes the institution's economic signature.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 20 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $50,762, representing 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 15 students earning $48,508, while Political Science and Kinesiology round out the core program portfolio with 14 and 13 graduates respectively.
These programs collectively demonstrate how Ripon College's concentrated program mix translates into predictable, competitive earnings outcomes for graduates entering fields aligned with regional and national labor-market demand.
Political Science and Government
14 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
11 graduates
Psychology, General
20 graduates
Biology, General
15 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
13 graduates
Ripon College's program mix is anchored in Social Sciences, reflecting the institution's liberal arts identity. Psychology, General is the largest program with 20 graduates, followed by Biology, General, Political Science, Kinesiology, and Communication and Media Studies.
Across 14 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, offering a focused portfolio aligned with the college's residential liberal arts mission. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied and professional fields.
Political Science graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $68,800 with 14 graduates, while Business/Commerce, General delivers $61,701 across 11 graduates. Psychology, General and Biology, General round out the higher-earning programs with median 4-year earnings of $50,762 and $48,508 respectively.
These outcomes reflect the college's strength in fields where employers actively recruit liberal arts graduates and where early-career advancement is steady. Several of these programs represent high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect national labor-market outcomes.
Others, particularly in humanities and social science subfields, may lead toward graduate study or professional school, where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Ripon College's dominant program families align with labor-market demand and wage trends across sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kalamazoo College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28245 ranked) | MI | 75% | $65,590 | #28245 | Compare |
Averett University Similar quality tier (#28238 ranked) | VA | 57% | $51,516 | #28238 | Compare |
Trinity Christian College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28247 ranked) | IL | 85% | $55,700 | #28247 | Compare |
Occidental College Similar quality tier (#28250 ranked) | CA | 44% | $75,951 | #28250 | Compare |
Mount St. Mary's University Similar quality tier (#28233 ranked) | MD | 74% | $64,072 | #28233 | Compare |
