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Principia College

Private nonprofit Elsah, IL · Rural · Great Lakes · 53% data
B Graduation B Diversity
Graduation Rate
75% B
Solid completion rate — most students graduate
Enrollment
339
Graduation +31% vs avg

Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board.

What The Data Says

  1. A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. A 75% graduation rate — 31% above the national average.

About Principia College

Principia College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

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
339
Setting
Rural
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Education, Visual & Performing Arts

Why students choose Principia College

Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community
Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B
Top 21% overall
B
Graduation
75% graduate
B
Diversity
0.69 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an enrollment of just 339 students, Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, is a tight-knit community where students often find their passions in areas like Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Education, Communications, and Social Sciences. This smaller environment can be appealing for those who thrive in more personalized settings, where the faculty knows students by name and can provide tailored support. It's a place for individuals who appreciate a collaborative atmosphere and want to engage deeply with their studies and peers.

When we think about what happens after graduation, it's essential to consider how students from Principia fare in the job market. While specific earnings data isn't available, the college's graduation rate stands at 75%. This suggests that many students are completing their degrees, which often enhances job prospects and can lead to upward mobility in their careers. Graduates from programs like Business and Education typically find opportunities in various sectors, potentially leading to stable employment and growth over time.

Cost is always a crucial factor when making a college choice. Although specific figures on net price and debt load are not provided, understanding the financial layout is key. Students who thrive at Principia often appreciate the community-focused environment and are usually those who value a liberal arts education. Overall, this college seems well-suited for those looking for an intimate educational experience that fosters both personal and academic growth.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Principia College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Principia College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in Elsah, Illinois, Principia College enrolls students across a range of programs. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 75%.

Retention Rate
83%
ACT Midpoint
25
Full-Time Faculty
81%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$9,209
Student–Faculty Ratio
6:1
Diversity Index
0.69
Applicants
209
Admitted
100

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 Principia College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Tuition at Principia College is listed at $34,680 before any financial aid is applied.

In-State Tuition
$34,680
Out-of-State
$34,680
Pell Grant Rate
0%
Federal Loan Rate
0%

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Principia College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (72)
60%
100% (72)
60%
100% (72)
60%
100% (72)
60%

How Principia Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation75%Retention83%Pell Grant Rate0%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Top Programs

The fields Principia 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Principia College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a private institution in Elsah, Illinois, Principia College enrolls students across a range of programs. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 75%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Principia College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Tuition at Principia College is listed at $34,680 before any financial aid is applied.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys