At $18,868/yr net price, University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus graduates earn $34,961/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $961/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,868 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,472 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,961/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$961/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 78.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,769 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,558/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,178/yr |
The Risk Factor
50.0% of students at University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return here is weak. Ten years after starting, median earnings land at $34,961 a year. That figure sits below what many high school graduates earn and barely clears full-time minimum-wage work in the DC area, where the cost of living is high. For a private for-profit school charging $18,868 a year net, that gap is the core problem.
One bright spot: median debt is low at $8,769. If you finish, you likely won't be buried in loans. But low debt only helps if the degree moves your income, and the earnings data says it mostly doesn't. Half of students graduate, and a quarter don't return after year one, so a real share of enrollees pay tuition and leave with no credential at all.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed, so there's no way to point you toward a major here that pays off versus one that doesn't. That absence is itself a caution: you can't verify which programs justify the cost.
The net price tiers add a specific risk. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $17,558. if you earn $30-48k, you pay more, $20,178. Lower-income families don't get a meaningful break here, and both tiers are steep against a $34,961 payoff.
This school is a poor financial fit if you're borrowing or stretching to attend. It makes more sense only if you're paying little out of pocket, already working in a field where the credential clears a specific job requirement, and you're confident you'll finish. If you're weighing this against a community college or public university in the DC region, price out those options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus worth the cost?
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus has below-average returns with graduates earning $34,961 ten years after enrollment despite paying $18,868 annually. The 50% graduation rate means half of students don't finish their degree.
What is the average salary after graduating from University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus?
Graduates from University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus earn a median of $34,961 ten years after starting school. This salary is relatively low compared to the annual cost of attendance.
How much debt do students typically have from University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus?
Students who borrow at University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus graduate with a median debt of $8,769. While this debt level is manageable, the low post-graduation earnings make repayment challenging.
What is the graduation rate at University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus?
University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus has a 50% graduation rate, meaning only half of students complete their degree. This high dropout rate increases the financial risk for students who may leave with debt but no degree.