Pfeiffer University
#5 Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 39% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,562 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,076 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,148,154.
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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Graduation of 39% — 32% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Pfeiffer University Matters
Pfeiffer University is a private university in Misenheimer, 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 655
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Pfeiffer 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 96% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,076 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 $51,562 ten years after enrolling — 26% above the typical college, against $26,163 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 45% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.36 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Pfeiffer University is a good fit for students who thrive in a close-knit community, with an enrollment of just 655 students. This intimate setting allows for more personalized attention from faculty and a collaborative atmosphere among peers. Students often pursue degrees in Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, and Psychology, giving them a strong foundation in fields that are in demand.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $51,562 within ten years, which is a solid starting point for many. This figure is particularly significant when considering the overall affordability of the school. With 51% of students receiving Pell Grants, it shows that many are able to access financial support, making it easier to manage the costs associated with their education.
The net price after aid comes to about $19,076, and the median debt stands at $26,163. This means that while students are taking on some debt, the overall financial burden is manageable for many. Those who tend to thrive at Pfeiffer are often driven and passionate about their chosen fields, ready to engage in their studies and make the most of the supportive environment.
Rankings
- #5 Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina
- #8 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #10 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina
- #19 Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #19 Best Communications Colleges in North Carolina
- #19 Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #25 Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina
- #29 Best Colleges for Cross-Class Networks
Can I Get In?
How selective Pfeiffer 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 Pfeiffer University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pfeiffer University, located in Misenheimer, North Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 53%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,705
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 1,299
- Admitted
- 897
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 Pfeiffer University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pfeiffer University is $35,070, 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 $19,076. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,167 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,163 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $35,070
- Out-of-State
- $35,070
- Avg Net Price
- $19,076
- Median Debt
- $26,163
- Pell Grant Rate
- 51%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 70%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,167
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,758
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,941
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,513
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pfeiffer University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pfeiffer University earn a median of $51,562, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,621
- 8 Years
- $49,941
- 10 Years
- $51,562
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.51x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (66)
- 33%
- 100% (66)
- 33%
- 100% (66)
- 33%
- 100% (66)
- 33%
How Pfeiffer 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 Pfeiffer University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pfeiffer University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,076/year ($76,304 total). Graduates earn $51,562 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,224,458 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,148,154 (16.0× your investment). The median debt is $26,163, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 39% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $76,304
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,224,458
- Net Return
- $1,148,154
- ROI Multiple
- 16.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,076
- Median Debt
- $26,163
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
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 Pfeiffer University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Pfeiffer 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 1.57%, well above the typical college. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.57%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $83,600
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,896,175
- Investment Income
- $-1,138,430
Top Programs
The fields Pfeiffer University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 14%
- Education 13%
- Business & Marketing 10%
- Criminal Justice 10%
- Psychology 9%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Communications 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pfeiffer 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
- 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 Pfeiffer University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pfeiffer University, located in Misenheimer, North Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pfeiffer University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Pfeiffer University is $35,070, 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 $19,076. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,167 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,163 in federal student loans.
Is Pfeiffer University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pfeiffer University earn a median of $51,562, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Pfeiffer University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Pfeiffer 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 1.57%, well above the typical college. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Pfeiffer 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 Pfeiffer University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.36, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pfeiffer University.
- Ohio Dominican UniversityColumbus, OH · Close peer44% grad $51,748 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Harrisburg University of Science and TechnologyHarrisburg, PA · Close peer39% grad $52,374 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rochester UniversityRochester Hills, MI · Close peer43% grad $48,707 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Randolph CollegeLynchburg, VA · Close peer49% grad $53,409 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Eureka CollegeEureka, IL · Close peer41% grad $51,641 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Monmouth CollegeMonmouth, IL · Close peer62% grad $51,110 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Pfeiffer 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 Pfeiffer University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.36, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note