At $21,998/yr net price, Wade College graduates earn $36,657/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,657/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,998 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,992 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,657/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,657/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 33.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,938 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,224/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $27,036/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,347/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,347/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $33,077 | $42,344 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Associate | $25,194 | $22,500 |
The Risk Factor
45.5% of students at Wade College 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
Wade College's numbers point to a weak financial return. You pay about $22,000 a year in net price, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $36,657. That earnings figure sits close to what many people make without any degree, so the payoff for the money and time you put in is thin.
The one bachelor's program with reported earnings, General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations, is the clearest warning. Graduates carry a median debt of $42,344 against earnings of $33,077 a year. That means your debt from this program alone runs higher than your annual income, which makes repayment slow and stressful. If this is the field you want at Wade, look hard at whether the price matches what you'll actually earn in the Dallas retail and merchandising market.
The specific risk here is the gap between cost and outcome combined with a 45.5% graduation rate. Fewer than half of students finish, so you face real odds of taking on debt without the degree that was supposed to justify it. The 100% retention rate tells you first-year students stay, but staying is not the same as graduating.
The net price tiers work backward from what you'd expect. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $20,224 a year. If your family earns more, you pay roughly $27,000 to $28,000. Lower-income families get some relief, but even the discounted price is steep against these earnings.
Wade College makes financial sense only if you have a concrete plan to work in Dallas fashion merchandising or design and can keep your borrowing well below the program median. If you want a degree that reliably raises your income, a Texas public college will cost you far less for a stronger return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wade College worth the cost for marketing and sales careers?
Wade College graduates in sales and merchandising earn around $25,000-$33,000 annually, which is below the national average for college graduates. With annual costs of $22,000 and typical debt of $23,000, the financial return is weak compared to other marketing programs.
What is the graduation rate at Wade College and why does it matter?
Wade College has a 45% graduation rate, meaning more than half of students don't finish their degree. This creates significant financial risk since students may accumulate debt without earning a credential that improves their job prospects.
How much debt do Wade College students typically graduate with?
Wade College graduates carry a median debt of $22,938, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, given the low starting salaries around $36,000, debt payments will consume a significant portion of graduates' income.
Does Wade College provide good ROI compared to other Texas colleges?
Wade College's ROI is below average, with graduates earning $36,657 ten years after enrollment. The combination of modest earnings and a low graduation rate makes it a risky investment compared to public universities or community colleges in Texas.