Hope College

What are the graduation rates for students at Hope College?

Hope College's reported four-year graduation rate is 77%, while its six-year rate is 80%. These measures describe the share of a defined entering cohort that completed a degree within the stated period; they are not predictions for an individual student.

The reported first-year retention rate is 88%, meaning that most students in the measured cohort returned for a second year. Retention and graduation measure different points in a student's path, and the four- and six-year rates need not describe the same entering cohort in a given publication year.

For applicants, the distinction between four and six years has a financial consequence: additional terms can mean additional tuition and living expenses. Students comparing colleges should look beyond the headline rate to ask whether their intended major, transferred credits, or study-abroad plans can fit a four-year schedule. These institution-wide figures do not establish completion rates for any one major or for transfer students.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Hope College?

Reported early-career earnings vary substantially by Hope College field of study. College Scorecard figures for measured graduates about one year after completion include $62,322 for engineering, $56,978 for registered nursing, and $41,084 for business administration.

These are field-level earnings measures for graduates represented in federal data, not starting-salary offers or a guarantee for everyone who completes a major. The reported figures are useful for comparing broad patterns, but they can reflect differences in occupation, location, hours worked, and whether graduates enter further education. Some graduates may not appear in a particular measure, and smaller fields may not have a published figure.

The college's Boerigter Center for Calling and Career offers career exploration, counseling, résumé and interview assistance, job-search resources, employer events, and networking opportunities. Those services are available during a student's education; they should be considered separately from measured earnings after graduation.