Houghton University
#10 Best Online Education Programs in New York- Graduation Rate
- 65% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,721 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,519 C-
- 20% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 89% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Online Education Programs in New York.
Every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,215,561.
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 $15.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Houghton University Matters
Houghton University is a private liberal arts college in Houghton, NY 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
- 753
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 89
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Houghton University
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 89% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1170–1375. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,519 a year after grants and scholarships — 20% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,721 ten years after enrolling — 15% above the typical college, against $25,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 32% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.57 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Houghton University is an excellent fit for students who value a close-knit community and personalized attention in their studies. With an enrollment of just 753 students and an acceptance rate of 89%, it creates an environment where individuals can thrive academically and socially. Students here often pursue programs in Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Education, Psychology, and Communications, giving them a diverse range of options to tailor their education to their interests.
After graduation, the prospects look promising. Graduates earn a median income of $46,721 within ten years, which speaks to the value of their degree in the job market. While the graduation rate stands at 65%, it's important to consider that many graduates are likely to find opportunities that align with their studies. The affordability of a degree from Houghton is also noteworthy, as the net price after aid is approximately $20,519, making it accessible for a range of students.
Looking at the financial aspects, students typically graduate with a median debt of $25,250, which is manageable for many. Those who thrive here often appreciate a supportive atmosphere and a focus on personal development alongside academics. The presence of Pell Grant recipients at 28% suggests that Houghton is also serving a portion of students from lower-income backgrounds, further enriching the campus community. Overall, it’s a place where students can grow and prepare for their futures in various fields.
Rankings
- #10 Best Online Education Programs in New York
- #15 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in New York
- #16 Best Online Computer Science Programs in New York
- #18 Best Online Business Programs in New York
- #25 Best Psychology Colleges in New York
- #26 Best Education Colleges in New York
- #32 Best Communications Colleges in New York
- #42 Best Business Colleges in New York
Can I Get In?
How selective Houghton University 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 Houghton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Houghton, New York, Houghton University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,284. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1284
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1170–1375
- ACT Range
- 26–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 61%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,614
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 974
- Admitted
- 750
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 Houghton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Houghton University is $18,430, 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 $20,519. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,147 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $18,430
- Out-of-State
- $18,430
- Avg Net Price
- $20,519
- Median Debt
- $25,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 48%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,147
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,503
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,312
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,424
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 Houghton University — 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 Houghton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Houghton University earn a median of $46,721, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,376
- 8 Years
- $42,148
- 10 Years
- $46,721
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (133)
- 56%
- 100% (133)
- 56%
- 100% (133)
- 56%
- 100% (133)
- 56%
How Houghton 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 Houghton University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Houghton University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,519/year ($82,076 total). Graduates earn $46,721 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,297,637 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,215,561 (15.8× your investment). The median debt is $25,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 65% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $82,076
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,297,637
- Net Return
- $1,215,561
- ROI Multiple
- 15.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,519
- Median Debt
- $25,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
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 Houghton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Houghton University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.90%, well above the typical college. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $85,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.90%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 28.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $115,893
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,564,326
- Investment Income
- $-8,398,584
Top Programs
The fields Houghton University 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% $45,495 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 13%
- Education 10%
- Psychology 8%
- Communications 7% $29,553 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- English & Literature 3%
- Humanities 3%
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 Houghton University'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
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Houghton University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Houghton, New York, Houghton University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,284. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Houghton University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Houghton University is $18,430, 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 $20,519. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,147 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,250 in federal student loans.
Is Houghton University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Houghton University earn a median of $46,721, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Houghton University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Houghton University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.90%, well above the typical college. About 6.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $85,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Houghton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Houghton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Houghton University.
- Martin Luther CollegeNew Ulm, MN · Close peer71% grad $47,491 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cairn University-LanghorneLanghorne, PA · Close peer62% grad $44,172 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Midwestern Baptist Theological SeminaryKansas City, MO · Close peer59% grad $50,535 earn 96% 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 size
- Monmouth CollegeMonmouth, IL · Close peer62% grad $51,110 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- College of Our Lady of the ElmsChicopee, MA · Close peer66% grad $51,540 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Houghton University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Houghton University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note