Wade College: $17,692 Tuition

$17,692Tuition

205Students

46%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,657Earnings

Private forprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Wade College

Wade College specializes in fashion merchandising and design, training students for careers in Dallas's thriving retail and fashion industry. This private career college enrolls just 205 students in the heart of Dallas. The intimate size allows for highly personalized attention with an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Wade focuses on practical skills that employers want, from visual merchandising to fashion buying.

Students pay an average net price of $21,998 after financial aid, with 68% receiving some form of assistance. Graduates earn a median of $36,657 ten years after graduation, which helps justify the investment. Most students graduate with $22,938 in debt and face monthly loan payments of $243. The loan repayment rate sits at just 24%, suggesting many graduates struggle to pay back their loans relative to their earnings.

Women make up 81% of the student body, reflecting the fashion industry's demographics. The college operates on a trimester system, allowing students to move through programs quickly. While 88% of graduates find employment, only 44% complete their degree in four years. Nearly all students come from Texas, giving Wade a strong local focus that serves Dallas-area fashion retailers and design firms.

Academics & Faculty

Wade College specializes in fashion merchandising and design programs, positioning itself as a career-focused institution in Dallas's active fashion scene. With just 205 students and an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, classes feel more like workshops where professors know every student by name. The school operates on a trimester system that accelerates learning, though only 43.64% of students graduate within four years. Wade attracts students serious about fashion careers, with 88.2% finding employment after graduation. The intensive, hands-on curriculum prepares students for roles in retail buying, visual merchandising, and fashion marketing. Small class sizes mean direct mentorship from industry professionals who teach alongside their careers.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 41.4%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 43.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 45.5%
Retention Rate: 100.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,657
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations.	Bachelor	$33,077
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations.	Associate	$25,194

View all 6 programs →

Campus Life

Wade College sits in the heart of Dallas, where 205 students pursue fashion and design careers in a uniquely intimate setting. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and your design aesthetic. With 81% women and strong representation from Black and Hispanic communities, the campus reflects Dallas's diverse fashion scene. Students embrace Texas heat year-round, trading winter coats for sunscreen and light layers.

The trimester calendar keeps the pace fast, much like the fashion industry students aim to enter. With 97% of students from Texas, weekend trips often mean exploring Dallas's Deep Ellum arts district or the Design District's showrooms. The small enrollment creates a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other's projects. Students typically commute from around the metro area since the school doesn't offer traditional campus housing. Career-focused coursework means studio time often extends into evenings, with students collaborating on fashion shows and merchandising displays that mirror real industry deadlines.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Trimester
Founded: 1962

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 37°–57°F
July Avg: 77°–96°F
Annual Precipitation: 38.3"
Annual Snowfall: 1.7"

Student Demographics

Wade College draws ambitious fashion students who want to break into the industry without leaving Texas. Women make up four out of five students, reflecting the fashion world's demographics. The school serves a diverse student body where Black and Hispanic students together represent two-thirds of enrollment. Most students qualify for Pell Grants, showing the college attracts working-class students pursuing creative careers. Nearly all students come from Texas, giving Wade strong ties to Dallas's fashion and retail scene. The small size of 205 students creates an intimate learning environment focused on hands-on training.

Men: 19.0%
Women: 81.0%
White: 22.9%
Black: 36.6%
Hispanic: 30.7%
Asian: 5.4%
In-State Students: 97.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 68.2%

Location

Wade College sits in Dallas, Texas, one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas with over 7 million residents. The campus operates in the heart of a major business center known for fashion, retail headquarters, and creative industries. Dallas offers extensive internship opportunities in merchandising and design through companies like Neiman Marcus, which started here in 1907. The city's Arts District spans 68 acres and houses strong museums. Students have access to major shopping centers, fashion weeks, and trade shows that complement their specialized coursework. The urban setting provides year-round networking events in the fashion industry. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Wade College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Dallas, Texas 75207

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,657
Median Earnings (5 years): $34,289
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 24.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $243/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $22,938

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Wade College?

Wade College maintains a 100% retention rate, suggesting they carefully select students who are committed to their career-focused programs. The small enrollment of just 205 students allows for personalized attention in their specialized fashion merchandising and design curriculum.

How much does Wade College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $21,998 annually, with 68% receiving some form of financial aid. Monthly loan payments average $243, though only 24% of graduates are successfully repaying their loans within the standard timeframe.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Wade College?

Wade College offers an intimate learning environment with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio. The school operates on a trimester system and focuses heavily on hands-on training in fashion merchandising and design fields.

What are the graduation rates at Wade College?

Only 44% of students graduate within four years, with the six-year rate reaching 46%. Despite these modest completion rates, 88% of graduates find employment, reflecting the school's career-oriented approach to fashion industry training.

Where do Wade College students come from?

Nearly all students (97%) are Texas residents, with women making up 81% of the student body. The diverse campus includes 37% Black students, 31% Hispanic students, and 23% White students, reflecting Dallas's multicultural makeup.

How much do Wade College graduates earn?

Recent graduates earn a median of $25,694 in their first year after graduation, rising to $36,657 after ten years. These earnings reflect entry-level positions in fashion retail and merchandising, industries known for modest starting salaries but potential for growth.