Ripon College
#3 Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,902 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,216 C-
- 18% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.2 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $19.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,467,942.
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 35% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Ripon College Matters
Ripon College is a private liberal arts college in Ripon, WI 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
- 688
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Ripon 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
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 980–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,216 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,902 ten years after enrolling — 35% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 46% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.65 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just 688 students, Ripon College offers a close-knit community that suits those looking for a more personal college experience. The acceptance rate of 80% indicates that the college is welcoming to a diverse range of applicants. Students here often focus on areas like Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Education, Social Sciences, and Psychology, making it a solid choice for those interested in these fields.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $54,902 within ten years. This figure gives a good sense of the potential return on investment, especially when you consider the college's affordability. For many students, the financial aid landscape is key, with a net price of $20,216 after aid. While the graduation rate sits at 62%, those who complete their studies usually find themselves in a strong position to enter the workforce.
When it comes to managing costs, the median debt for graduates is $27,000, which is manageable compared to the earnings potential. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a supportive environment and are ready to engage actively with their studies. With a mix of academic rigor and community support, Ripon College can be a great place for students to grow both personally and professionally.
Rankings
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #4 Best Education Colleges in Wisconsin
- #6 Best Colleges in Wisconsin
- #6 Best Biology Colleges in Wisconsin
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin
- #8 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #8 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
- #13 Best Nursing Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective Ripon 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 Ripon College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Ripon College, located in Ripon, Wisconsin, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,176. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1176
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 980–1270
- ACT Range
- 21–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,249
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.36
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 2,142
- Admitted
- 1,742
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 Ripon College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Ripon College is $51,900, 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 $20,216. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,712 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $51,900
- Out-of-State
- $51,900
- Avg Net Price
- $20,216
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 70%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,712
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,267
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,971
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,280
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Ripon College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ripon College earn a median of $54,902, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,334
- 8 Years
- $48,800
- 10 Years
- $54,902
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (126)
- 60%
- 100% (126)
- 60%
- 100% (126)
- 60%
- 100% (126)
- 60%
How Ripon 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 Ripon College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Ripon College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,216/year ($80,864 total). Graduates earn $54,902 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,548,806 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,467,942 (19.2× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $80,864
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,548,806
- Net Return
- $1,467,942
- ROI Multiple
- 19.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,216
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
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 Ripon College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Ripon 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 1.55%, well above the typical college. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $92,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.55%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $92,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,026,125
- Investment Income
- $-2,804,836
Top Programs
The fields Ripon College 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.
- Education 14%
- Social Sciences 12%
- Biology & Biomedical 11%
- Business & Marketing 10%
- Psychology 9%
- Physical Sciences 8%
- Communications 4%
- Health Professions 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Ripon 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
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Ripon College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Ripon College, located in Ripon, Wisconsin, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,176. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ripon College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Ripon College is $51,900, 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 $20,216. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,712 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Ripon College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Ripon College earn a median of $54,902, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Ripon College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Ripon 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 1.55%, well above the typical college. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $92,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Ripon 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 Ripon College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Ripon College.
- Elmira CollegeElmira, NY · Close peer64% grad $57,550 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northwest UniversityKirkland, WA · Close peer67% grad $54,914 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Trinity Christian CollegePalos Heights, IL · Close peer61% grad $55,700 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Marietta CollegeMarietta, OH · Close peer60% grad $57,180 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ursuline CollegePepper Pike, OH · Close peer61% grad $56,878 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Dakota Wesleyan UniversityMitchell, SD · Close peer47% grad $53,728 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Ripon 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 Ripon College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 11% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note