Degree Dividend
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Hope College vs Adrian College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Holland MI · vs · Private nonprofit, Adrian MI

The verdict

Hope College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $108,728 in 10.8 years versus 14.2 years at Adrian College, on median earnings of $58,427 vs $55,504 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHope CollegeAdrian College
Net price / yr$27,182$25,368
Total net cost$108,728$101,472
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,427$55,504
Median debt$26,800$27,000
Payback10.8 yrs14.2 yrs
20-year net return$92,612$41,408

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Hope College or Adrian College?

Adrian College, at $25,368 a year after aid versus $27,182 — a gap of $1,814 a year, or $7,256 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Hope College or Adrian College graduates earn more?

Hope College graduates report a median $58,427 ten years after entry, $2,923 more than the $55,504 at Adrian College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Hope College or Adrian College?

Hope College: its completers carry a median $26,800 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Adrian College, a difference of $200. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

80% of students finish at Hope College, against 48% at Adrian College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Hope College vs Adrian College: frequently asked questions

Is Hope College or Adrian College a better value?
Hope College. It clears its $108,728 net cost in about 10.8 years versus 14.2 years at Adrian College, on median earnings of $58,427 vs $55,504 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Hope College or Adrian College?
Adrian College: $25,368/yr net price after aid versus $27,182/yr at Hope College — a difference of $1,814 a year, or about $7,256 over four years.
Do Hope College or Adrian College graduates earn more?
Hope College graduates earn a median $58,427 ten years after entry, versus $55,504 at Adrian College — a $2,923 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.