At $21,619/yr net price, Ohio Wesleyan University graduates earn $55,624/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,624/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,619 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $86,476 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,624/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,624/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,920/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,089/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,819/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,444/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,353/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $51,273 | $27,000 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $43,798 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $31,848 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $26,800 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,585 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $23,649 | |
| Zoology/Animal Biology. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $24,000 |
The Risk Factor
61.7% of students at Ohio Wesleyan University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Ohio Wesleyan's financial return is mixed, and the gap between programs is wide enough that your major decides whether the price makes sense. At a net price above $21,000 a year and median debt of $27,000, you need a degree that pays back. Accounting is the clear winner here, landing graduates near $51,000 and beating business/managerial economics by roughly $7,500 for the same sticker cost. Everything below that gets harder to justify.
The lower half of the earnings list is where the risk sits. Health and physical education, political science, and psychology all carry the same $27,000 debt load but bring in under $32,000, with psychology at just $26,585. Borrowing full freight for those majors means starting your career with debt roughly equal to your first-year pay. If you want one of these programs, keep your borrowing well below the median.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families and punish higher-income ones. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $13,000 to $15,000 a year, which changes the math on the whole degree. Once your family income passes $110,000, the price jumps to $30,353 with no discount, so the full-pay tier only works if you land in accounting or business economics.
A 61.7% graduation rate is the quiet risk. Nearly four in ten students don't finish in the tracked window, and debt without a degree is the worst outcome here. The 84% retention rate suggests most who start the second year stay, so the drop-off happens later.
Ohio Wesleyan fits you if you're aiming at accounting or business economics, or if your family income keeps the net price under $16,000. Look elsewhere if you're full-pay and drawn to psychology or political science.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ohio Wesleyan University worth the cost?
With graduates earning $55,624 ten years after starting, Ohio Wesleyan provides decent returns but not exceptional ones given the $21,619 annual net price. The accounting program offers the strongest financial outcomes at $51,273, while psychology and political science graduates earn significantly less.
What are the best paying majors at Ohio Wesleyan University?
Accounting leads at $51,273 in median earnings, followed by business economics at $43,798. Education and liberal arts majors like psychology and political science earn considerably less, with psychology graduates making just $26,585.
How much debt do Ohio Wesleyan University graduates have?
The median debt load is $27,000, which is manageable given the overall graduate earnings of $55,624. However, students in lower-paying majors like psychology may struggle more with loan payments relative to their income.
Does Ohio Wesleyan University have good graduation rates?
The 61.70% graduation rate is below average for four-year colleges. This means nearly 40% of students don't complete their degree, which significantly impacts the return on investment for those who don't finish.