The Worst Colleges for Bachelor’s Degree Payoff, Ranked

Ferrum College is a small private college in rural Virginia with roots going back to the early 1900s. It was founded with a mission of expanding education in the Blue Ridge region and later grew into a four-year college with liberal arts, professional, and career-oriented programs.

At -$25,000, the 10-year payoff suggests graduates may still be behind financially in the early years after enrollment. Smaller private colleges can face challenges when tuition costs meet modest early-career wages. The number could shift for students who enter stronger-paying fields or use the degree for graduate study.