Wabash Valley College: $4,390 Tuition

$4,390Tuition

526Students

59%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,533Earnings

#10 in IllinoisPublic2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Wabash Valley College

Wabash Valley College serves the agricultural heartland of southern Illinois with hands-on training that connects directly to local industries. The college enrolls 526 students in a town setting where farming and workforce development take center stage. Students here focus on practical skills that employers actually need, from agriculture technology to manufacturing trades. About 90% of students come from within Illinois, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other.

The financial picture tells a compelling story for working families. Students from households earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $8,195 after aid, while the median debt load stays manageable at just $6,500. Graduates earn a median of $37,533 ten years after leaving, making monthly loan payments of only $69. The college keeps costs reasonable with in-state tuition at $4,390, though only about 24% of students receive Pell Grants.

The Warriors compete in six NJCAA sports with 136 total athletes sharing $703,376 in athletic scholarships. With an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for personal attention. The employment rate hits an impressive 95.7%, reflecting strong connections between the college's programs and regional job markets. The 59% graduation rate shows this practical approach works for motivated students.

Academics & Faculty

Wabash Valley College builds its academic reputation around agriculture and workforce training programs that serve rural southern Illinois. The college maintains an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, providing more personal attention than many larger institutions. Students can choose from programs designed to either transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce directly after graduation. The 59% graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family obligations. With 526 total students, classes stay small and professors know their students by name. The college focuses on practical skills training that connects directly to regional employment opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare support services.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 34.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 59.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,533

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$20,140

View all 36 programs →

Campus Life

Mount Carmel sits in rural southern Illinois, about two hours from both Evansville and St. Louis. With just 526 students spread across campus, you'll recognize most faces by your second semester. The student body is 90% in-state, creating a tight-knit community where Illinois farming culture runs deep. You'll need a good winter coat for snowy January mornings and lighter clothes for humid summer courses.

Most students commute from surrounding farming communities rather than living on campus. The 136 Warriors athletes across six sports teams form the social backbone of campus life. Weekend activities often revolve around athletic events or trips to nearby cities for entertainment. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and learning style. With strong agriculture and workforce training programs, many students balance coursework with family farm responsibilities or part-time jobs. The small-town setting offers outdoor activities like fishing and hiking, while the college's focus on practical skills creates a no-nonsense academic atmosphere where students prioritize career preparation over traditional college social scenes.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1959

Campus Safety (2023)

7 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Noncampus	Public Property
Aggravated Assault	1	2	1
Rape	0	2	0
Burglary	1	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 23°–38°F
July Avg: 68°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 45.9"
Annual Snowfall: -1,546.8"

Student Demographics

Wabash Valley draws primarily from southern Illinois farm communities and small towns, with 90% of its 526 students staying close to home. The student body leans slightly female at 57%, reflecting the college's mix of healthcare programs alongside traditional agriculture and trades training. Nearly a quarter receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families seeking affordable career preparation. The overwhelmingly white student population mirrors the rural demographics of the region it serves. These are students looking for practical skills and job training without leaving their tight-knit communities behind.

Men: 43.2%
Women: 56.8%
White: 84.4%
Black: 4.9%
Hispanic: 4.0%
Asian: 2.5%
In-State Students: 90.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 23.5%

Location

Mount Carmel sits in southeastern Illinois near the Indiana border, about 120 miles from St. Louis. This rural farming community of roughly 7,000 people reflects the agricultural heritage of the Wabash River valley. Over 90% of Wabash Valley College's 526 students come from in-state, drawing primarily from surrounding farm towns and small communities. The campus serves as an educational anchor in a region known for corn and soybean production, oil refining, and manufacturing. Mount Carmel's small-town atmosphere means students know their professors personally with an 18:1 student-faculty ratio. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Wabash Valley College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Mount Carmel, Illinois 62863

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,533
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,867
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 59.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $69/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $6,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Wabash Valley College?

Wabash Valley College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges, serving 526 students primarily from southern Illinois. The college focuses on providing accessible higher education to rural communities, with 90.18% of students coming from in-state.

How much does Wabash Valley College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,134 annually, making it an affordable option for rural Illinois families. In-state tuition runs $4,390 while out-of-state students pay $12,340, though only 23.54% of students receive Pell Grants.

What academic programs is Wabash Valley College known for?

The college specializes in agriculture and workforce training programs that serve the rural economy of southern Illinois. With a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, students get hands-on training in practical skills needed for local industries.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Wabash Valley College?

Graduates achieve a strong 95.7% employment rate, reflecting the college's focus on workforce-ready training programs. The median earnings of $37,533 ten years after enrollment demonstrate solid career preparation, while graduates carry manageable debt loads averaging $6,500.

Where is Wabash Valley College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Mount Carmel, Illinois, a small town that serves the rural agricultural region of southern Illinois. With 526 total students and a demographic makeup that is 84.41% white, the college maintains a close-knit community atmosphere typical of rural institutions.

Does Wabash Valley College offer athletic scholarships?

The Warriors compete in NJCAA athletics across 6 varsity sports with 136 total student-athletes. The college awards $703,376 in athletic scholarships, providing opportunities for students to combine academics with competitive sports in a small-college setting.