Guilford College
#9 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 47% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,590 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $22,270 D+
- 30% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.0 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $13.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,071,445.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Guilford College Matters
Guilford College is a private liberal arts college in Greensboro, NC 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 Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,001
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 65
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Why students choose Guilford 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
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1120–1260. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,270 a year after grants and scholarships — 30% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,590 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 86% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.52 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 1,000 students enrolled and an acceptance rate of 80%, Guilford College is a welcoming choice for those looking for a supportive yet academically engaging environment. This school is particularly suited for individuals interested in fields like Business and Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Biology. The small campus fosters a sense of community where students can explore their interests and receive personalized attention from faculty.
When it comes to life after graduation, the data tells a promising story. Graduates of Guilford College earn an average of $47,590 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordability of the college. Many students benefit from financial aid, with 44% receiving Pell Grants, which can help ease the financial burden.
Looking at the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $22,270, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $26,000, students typically leave with a reasonable amount of loans relative to their earnings potential. Those who thrive here often take advantage of the close-knit community and diverse programs to build meaningful connections and gain valuable skills for their careers.
Rankings
- #9 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina
- #15 Best Online Business Programs in North Carolina
- #16 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina
- #17 Best Online Computer Science Programs in North Carolina
- #18 Best Online Education Programs in North Carolina
- #19 Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #19 Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #19 Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Guilford 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 Guilford College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Guilford College, located in Greensboro, North Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,105. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 1105
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 1120–1260
- ACT Range
- 18–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 53%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,005
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 3,397
- Admitted
- 2,837
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 Guilford College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Guilford College is $41,362, 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 $22,270. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,367 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $41,362
- Out-of-State
- $41,362
- Avg Net Price
- $22,270
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 44%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 51%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,367
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $22,825
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $34,680
- Family Income $110K+
- $49,368
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 Guilford 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 Guilford College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Guilford College earn a median of $47,590, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,401
- 8 Years
- $42,478
- 10 Years
- $47,590
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.55x
- Earning > $25K
- 59%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (134)
- 38%
- 100% (134)
- 38%
- 100% (134)
- 38%
- 100% (134)
- 38%
How Guilford 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 Guilford College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Guilford College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,270/year ($89,080 total). Graduates earn $47,590 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,160,525 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,071,445 (13.0× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 47% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $89,080
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,160,525
- Net Return
- $1,071,445
- ROI Multiple
- 13.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,270
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
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 Guilford College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Guilford 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 0.84%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $109,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.84%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $149,316
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,291,401
- Investment Income
- $-5,334,412
Top Programs
The fields Guilford 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 18% $55,595 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 12% $42,081 early-career
- Criminal Justice 9% $36,746 early-career
- Psychology 8% $34,303 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $58,476 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $17,013 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $28,100 early-career
- Education 3% $44,852 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 Guilford 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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Guilford College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Guilford College, located in Greensboro, North Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,105. The graduation rate is roughly 47%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Guilford College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Guilford College is $41,362, 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 $22,270. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,367 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Guilford College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Guilford College earn a median of $47,590, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Guilford College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Guilford 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 0.84%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $109,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Guilford 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 Guilford College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Guilford College.
- Anderson UniversityAnderson, IN · Close peer52% grad $48,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Heidelberg UniversityTiffin, OH · Close peer51% grad $48,466 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IA · Close peer40% grad $47,361 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Truett McConnell UniversityCleveland, GA · Close peer39% grad $46,700 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wilmington CollegeWilmington, OH · Close peer51% grad $48,491 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Marian UniversityFond Du Lac, WI · Close peer43% grad $53,501 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Guilford 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 Guilford College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note