At $25,766/yr net price, The College of Wooster graduates earn $59,629/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,629/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,766 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,064 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,629/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,629/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,018/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,787/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,052/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,899/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,701/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $48,041 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $38,829 | $22,111 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $36,674 | $27,000 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $26,784 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $26,717 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,933 | $26,107 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $26,625 | $27,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
73.6% of students at The College of Wooster graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 26% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The College of Wooster gives you a mixed financial return. The $59,629 median earnings ten years out clears the debt load, and a 73.60% graduation rate with 81.31% retention means most of you finish and start paying down that debt on schedule. But the sticker price is steep for a liberal arts payoff, and the program-level numbers show wide gaps in what your major actually returns.
Economics is the clear winner here, with early-career earnings well above every other tracked program. Communication and Media Studies comes next, and it does so with the lightest debt of the group, which makes it one of the safer bets on paper. Math, chemistry, and political science all land lower on early pay despite carrying debt loads at or above the median. Political science in particular pairs some of the lowest early earnings with debt near $26,800, so if that's your path, plan for a slow start.
The risk specific to Wooster is that these are early-career figures for science and social-science majors whose real earnings growth tends to come later or after graduate school. If you stop at the bachelor's, the first years can feel thin against your loan payments.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48k, you pay roughly half what families over $110k pay. The jump between the $48-75k tier and the top tier is large, so middle- and upper-income families absorb close to the full cost.
Wooster fits you if you're aiming at economics or a graduate degree and qualify for the lower net-price tiers. If you need strong early earnings straight out of a bachelor's and your family pays full price, look harder at the numbers before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The College of Wooster worth the cost?
The College of Wooster graduates earn $59,629 after 10 years with median debt of $26,500, which creates a reasonable debt-to-income ratio. However, the annual net price of $25,766 means you're paying premium private school costs for middle-tier earnings outcomes.
What are the highest paying majors at The College of Wooster?
Economics majors from The College of Wooster earn the most at $48,041 annually, followed by Communication and Media Studies at $38,829. Most other popular majors like Political Science earn around $30,000, which may not justify the high tuition costs.
How much student debt do College of Wooster graduates have?
The College of Wooster graduates leave with a median debt of $26,500. While this debt level is manageable compared to the $59,629 average earnings, it still represents a significant financial burden for a school with moderate post-graduation earning potential.
Does The College of Wooster provide good financial aid?
The College of Wooster's net price of $25,766 suggests decent financial aid since the sticker price is much higher. However, you're still paying substantial money for outcomes that don't significantly outperform many less expensive state schools.