Kalamazoo College
#1 Best Biology Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 79% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $65,590 A
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $19,072 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 28.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.4 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Biology Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $28.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,090,270.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 61% more than the national college median.
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A 79% graduation rate — 38% above the national average.
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Inventor rate in the top 25% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
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Every $1 invested returns $28.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 1.0%
- Top 25%
- Patents
- 14
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 0
- Downstream influence
Why Kalamazoo College Matters
Kalamazoo College is a private liberal arts college in Kalamazoo, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an unusually high rate of inventors and patents and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
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
- 1,149
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology
Why students choose Kalamazoo 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 75% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1170–1380. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,072 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $65,590 ten years after enrolling — 61% above the typical college, against $26,077 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 71% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Kalamazoo College is ideal for students looking for a supportive environment with a strong focus on liberal arts education. With an acceptance rate of 75%, it welcomes a diverse range of students who are interested in programs like Biology and Biomedical studies, Business and Marketing, and Social Sciences. The academic community here emphasizes not just learning, but also personal growth and exploration, making it a great fit for those who want to engage deeply with their education.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential. The average salary ten years post-graduation is $65,590, which speaks to the value of the education received here. This earning level suggests that graduates are generally able to move up in their careers, finding positions that reflect their skills and knowledge. Affordability remains a consideration, with a net price of $19,072 after aid, making it accessible for many families.
When we look at the financial side, the median debt for graduates stands at $26,077, which is manageable given the earnings potential. Students who thrive at Kalamazoo are often those who engage actively with the campus community and take advantage of the resources available. With 26% of students receiving Pell Grants, there's an understanding of the financial challenges many face, reinforcing the college's commitment to supporting its students through their academic journeys.
Rankings
- #1 Best Biology Colleges in Michigan
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in Michigan
- #5 Best Colleges in Michigan
- #5 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
- #5 Best Data Science Colleges in Michigan
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan
- #6 Best Master's Programs in Michigan
- #7 Best Business Colleges in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Kalamazoo College, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,280. The graduation rate is roughly 79%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- SAT Average
- 1280
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1170–1380
- ACT Range
- 20–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,916
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- First-Gen Students
- 14%
- Applicants
- 3,702
- Admitted
- 2,934
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 Kalamazoo College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kalamazoo College is $61,050, 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 $19,072. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,019 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,077 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $61,050
- Out-of-State
- $61,050
- Avg Net Price
- $19,072
- Median Debt
- $26,077
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 45%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,019
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,804
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,337
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,672
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 Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $65,590, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,137
- 8 Years
- $56,248
- 10 Years
- $65,590
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 59%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (257)
- 72%
- 100% (257)
- 72%
- 100% (257)
- 72%
- 100% (257)
- 72%
How Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Kalamazoo College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,072/year ($76,288 total). Graduates earn $65,590 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,166,558 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,090,270 (28.4× your investment). The median debt is $26,077, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 79% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $76,288
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,166,558
- Net Return
- $2,090,270
- ROI Multiple
- 28.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,072
- Median Debt
- $26,077
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 79%
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 Kalamazoo College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kalamazoo 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 1.09%, 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 40.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $139,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.09%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 40.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $189,803
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Kalamazoo College produces inventors at an above-average rate (top 25% nationally), with 14 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.96%
- Top 25% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 14
- Linked to graduates
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,281,966
- Investment Income
- $-46,517,254
Top Programs
The fields Kalamazoo 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.
- Biology & Biomedical 25% $22,629 early-career
- Business & Marketing 17% $56,711 early-career
- Social Sciences 13% $66,496 early-career
- Psychology 9% $27,233 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7% $20,413 early-career
- English & Literature 7% $23,930 early-career
- Physical Sciences 6% $49,387 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4%
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 Kalamazoo 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
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kalamazoo College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Kalamazoo College, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,280. The graduation rate is roughly 79%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kalamazoo College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kalamazoo College is $61,050, 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 $19,072. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,019 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,077 in federal student loans.
Is Kalamazoo College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $65,590, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Kalamazoo College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kalamazoo 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 1.09%, 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 40.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $139,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, 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 16% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Kalamazoo College.
- Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara, CA · Close peer70% grad $64,778 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Luther CollegeDecorah, IA · Close peer73% grad $59,850 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Centre CollegeDanville, KY · Close peer83% grad $66,240 earn 54% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Clarkson CollegeOmaha, NE · Close peer67% grad $64,876 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied HealthOmaha, NE · Close peer63% grad $65,071 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity
- Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington, PA · Close peer70% grad $67,918 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, 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 16% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note