Adrian College
- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,504 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $25,368 D
- 48% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 73% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,463,913.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 36% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Adrian College Matters
Adrian College is a private college in Adrian, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,604
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Biology & Biomedical, Education
Why students choose Adrian College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 73% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 873–1140. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $25,368 a year after grants and scholarships — 48% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,504 ten years after enrolling — 36% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 79% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.59 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Adrian College is a solid choice for students looking for a personalized education experience in a tight-knit community. With an enrollment of around 1,600 students, it caters well to those who prefer smaller class sizes and more direct interaction with faculty. Popular programs here include Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, and Criminal Justice. This variety allows students to explore different fields while receiving focused instruction in their chosen disciplines.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $55,504 within ten years, which is a reasonable figure that gives insight into post-college life. While the graduation rate sits at 52%, it’s important to recognize that many graduates find their footing in the workforce and build meaningful careers. Affordability plays a key role in this journey, as the net price after aid is $25,368, making it accessible for a wide range of students.
When we look at the financial aspect, students leave Adrian College with a median debt of $27,000. This is a manageable figure for many, especially considering the potential earnings post-graduation. Students who tend to thrive here are those who appreciate close connections with peers and faculty and are willing to engage actively in their education. The supportive environment at Adrian College can help students navigate their path to success, both academically and professionally.
Rankings
- #12 Best Business Colleges in Michigan
- #13 Best Communications Colleges in Michigan
- #15 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Michigan
- #22 Best Education Colleges in Michigan
- #24 Best Biology Colleges in Michigan
- #31 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
- #31 Best Data Science Colleges in Michigan
- #32 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Adrian College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Adrian College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Adrian, Michigan, Adrian College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,034. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 1034
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 873–1140
- ACT Range
- 21–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 44%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,614
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.63
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 3,329
- Admitted
- 2,299
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Adrian College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Adrian College is $41,684, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,368. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,542 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $41,684
- Out-of-State
- $41,684
- Avg Net Price
- $25,368
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 31%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 71%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,542
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,571
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $24,162
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,652
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Adrian College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Adrian College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Adrian College earn a median of $55,504, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,805
- 8 Years
- $47,820
- 10 Years
- $55,504
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (215)
- 45%
- 100% (215)
- 45%
- 100% (215)
- 45%
- 100% (215)
- 45%
How Adrian Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Adrian College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Adrian College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $25,368/year ($101,472 total). Graduates earn $55,504 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,565,385 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,463,913 (15.4× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $101,472
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,565,385
- Net Return
- $1,463,913
- ROI Multiple
- 15.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $25,368
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Adrian College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Adrian College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.96%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.96%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $120,241
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,654,802
- Investment Income
- $2,616,775
Top Programs
The fields Adrian College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 30% $50,127 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 11%
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $44,210 early-career
- Education 7% $44,760 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $45,495 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Communications 3% $35,917 early-career
- Psychology 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Adrian College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Adrian College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Adrian, Michigan, Adrian College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,034. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Adrian College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Adrian College is $41,684, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,368. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,542 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Adrian College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Adrian College earn a median of $55,504, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Adrian College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Adrian College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.96%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Adrian College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Adrian College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Adrian College.
- Capital UniversityColumbus, OH · Close peer63% grad $54,143 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Alfred UniversityAlfred, NY · Close peer56% grad $54,897 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- McKendree UniversityLebanon, IL · Close peer57% grad $58,572 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Caldwell UniversityCaldwell, NJ · Close peer58% grad $53,843 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wittenberg UniversitySpringfield, OH · Close peer53% grad $54,947 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Delaware Valley UniversityDoylestown, PA · Close peer54% grad $55,838 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Adrian College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Adrian College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note