Meredith College
#8 Best Biology Colleges in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 68% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,539 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,488 D+
- 31% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 74% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.3 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Biology Colleges in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $13.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,108,924.
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 26% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Meredith College Matters
Meredith College is a private liberal arts college in Raleigh, 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
- 1,188
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology
Why students choose Meredith 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 74% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1098–1348. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,488 a year after grants and scholarships — 31% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,539 ten years after enrolling — 26% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 60% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.58 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just under 1,200 students, Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, creates a close-knit learning environment that emphasizes personal relationships. This school is particularly appealing to those interested in programs like Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical, and Health Professions. The acceptance rate of 74% indicates that there’s a welcoming atmosphere for diverse students looking for a supportive community as they pursue their academic goals.
Graduates from Meredith College can expect solid financial outcomes. With a median earnings of $51,539 ten years after graduation, many find themselves on a stable financial path. The affordability of the college is notable, especially considering that 36% of students receive Pell Grants, which can significantly help lower costs for those who qualify. This financial support contributes to a brighter future for graduates, with many able to leverage their degrees into meaningful careers.
When it comes to the practical aspects, the net price after aid sits at $22,488, which is manageable for many families. The median debt upon graduation is $25,000, a figure that is relatively low compared to some other institutions. Students who thrive here often appreciate the intimate classroom settings and the supportive faculty, which can make the journey through college not just about academics but about personal growth as well.
Rankings
- #8 Best Biology Colleges in North Carolina
- #11 Best Communications Colleges in North Carolina
- #13 Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #13 Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #15 Best Colleges in North Carolina
- #16 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
- #16 Best Master's Programs in North Carolina
- #20 Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Meredith 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 Meredith College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Meredith College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,204. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 1204
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1098–1348
- ACT Range
- 23–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,652
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 22%
- Applicants
- 1,775
- Admitted
- 1,299
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 Meredith College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Meredith College is $45,630, 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 $22,488. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,207 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $45,630
- Out-of-State
- $45,630
- Avg Net Price
- $22,488
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 36%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 55%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,207
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $19,006
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,064
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,117
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 Meredith 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 Meredith College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Meredith College earn a median of $51,539, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,293
- 8 Years
- $46,864
- 10 Years
- $51,539
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (270)
- 57%
- 100% (270)
- 57%
- 100% (270)
- 57%
- 100% (270)
- 57%
How Meredith 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 Meredith College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Meredith College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,488/year ($89,952 total). Graduates earn $51,539 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,198,876 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,108,924 (13.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 68% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $89,952
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,198,876
- Net Return
- $1,108,924
- ROI Multiple
- 13.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,488
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
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 Meredith College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Meredith College 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 1.28%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 32.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $107,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.28%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 32.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $146,327
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,802,953
- Investment Income
- $-15,829,446
Top Programs
The fields Meredith 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.
- Visual & Performing Arts 19% $41,912 early-career
- Business & Marketing 16% $52,305 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 14% $42,972 early-career
- Psychology 8% $34,625 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $33,550 early-career
- Communications 6% $38,698 early-career
- Health Professions 4% $51,244 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 Meredith 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 Meredith College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Meredith College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,204. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Meredith College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Meredith College is $45,630, 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 $22,488. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,207 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Meredith College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Meredith College earn a median of $51,539, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Meredith College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Meredith College 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 1.28%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 32.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $107,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Meredith 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 Meredith College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Meredith College.
- Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA · Close peer65% grad $49,802 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Seton Hill UniversityGreensburg, PA · Close peer69% grad $51,748 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cornell CollegeMount Vernon, IA · Close peer67% grad $53,460 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Knox CollegeGalesburg, IL · Close peer68% grad $54,820 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer65% grad $55,031 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-NebraskaSeward, NE · Close peer64% grad $52,415 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Meredith 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 Meredith College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note