Elizabethtown College
#10 Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania- Graduation Rate
- 77% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,399 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $26,598 D
- 55% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.6 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania.
Every $1 spent returns $13.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,345,240.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 53% more than the national college median.
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A 77% graduation rate — 34% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Elizabethtown College Matters
Elizabethtown College is a private university in Elizabethtown, PA 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,868
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, Engineering
Why students choose Elizabethtown 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 78% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1105–1310. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $26,598 a year after grants and scholarships — 55% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,399 ten years after enrolling — 53% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 81% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.76 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,868 students and an acceptance rate of 78%, Elizabethtown College is a great fit for those seeking a supportive environment where they can explore diverse fields like Business and Marketing, Biology, Engineering, Education, and Communications. The college stands out for its commitment to fostering a close-knit community, which can make a big difference in your college experience.
When it comes to life after graduation, the earnings are promising, with a median income of $62,399 reported ten years post-graduation. This suggests that students find solid opportunities in their fields, which can be particularly appealing for those looking for a return on their investment. The affordability of this college is also worth noting, especially for those who are mindful of their financial future.
In terms of costs, the net price for students after financial aid is around $26,598, with a median debt load of $27,000. This means that many graduates leave with a manageable debt relative to their earnings. The welcoming environment here tends to attract students who thrive on personal attention and collaboration, making it a great choice for those who value community alongside academic growth.
Rankings
- #10 Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #10 Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #17 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #17 Best MBA Programs in Pennsylvania
- #22 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #26 Best Biology Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #27 Best Business Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #27 Best Online Education Programs in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, Elizabethtown College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,204. The graduation rate is roughly 77%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1204
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1105–1310
- ACT Range
- 26–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 48%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,109
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.30
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 2,977
- Admitted
- 2,415
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 Elizabethtown College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Elizabethtown College is $37,950, 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 $26,598. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,776 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,950
- Out-of-State
- $37,950
- Avg Net Price
- $26,598
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 65%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,776
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,113
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,967
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,198
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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $62,399, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,833
- 8 Years
- $60,060
- 10 Years
- $62,399
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 81%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (304)
- 68%
- 100% (304)
- 68%
- 100% (304)
- 68%
- 100% (304)
- 68%
How Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Elizabethtown College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $26,598/year ($106,392 total). Graduates earn $62,399 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,451,632 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,345,240 (13.6× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 77% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $106,392
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,451,632
- Net Return
- $1,345,240
- ROI Multiple
- 13.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $26,598
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
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 Elizabethtown College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Elizabethtown 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 0.93%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.7% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.93%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 34.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $133,284
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $465,923
- Investment Income
- $-173,489
Top Programs
The fields Elizabethtown 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 20% $64,621 early-career
- Education 11% $49,240 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $35,851 early-career
- Engineering 9% $74,271 early-career
- Health Professions 4% $76,409 early-career
- Psychology 4% $29,935 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $47,043 early-career
- Communications 3% $45,495 early-career
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 Elizabethtown 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
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Elizabethtown College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, Elizabethtown College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,204. The graduation rate is roughly 77%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Elizabethtown College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Elizabethtown College is $37,950, 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 $26,598. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,776 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Elizabethtown College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $62,399, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Elizabethtown College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Elizabethtown 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 0.93%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.7% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, 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 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Elizabethtown College.
- Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN · Close peer73% grad $63,764 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights, OH · Close peer78% grad $62,860 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove, PA · Close peer78% grad $61,723 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Ambrose UniversityDavenport, IA · Close peer62% grad $59,531 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Emmanuel CollegeBoston, MA · Close peer67% grad $68,245 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer73% grad $56,458 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, 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 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note