At $27,733/yr net price, Wagner College graduates earn $74,360/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $40,360/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,733 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $110,932 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,360/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$40,360/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,751/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,404/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,086/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,550/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,789/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $116,354 | $42,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $106,421 | $49,365 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $95,910 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $66,029 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $62,508 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $61,814 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $58,557 | |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. | Master | $55,151 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $49,019 | $27,000 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Bachelor | $39,585 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
68.1% of students at Wagner College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Wagner College gives you a solid financial return, but only if you pick the right major. At $27,733 a year net price with median earnings of $74,360 a decade out, the school clears its cost for the median graduate. Median debt of $25,000 stays under that first-year earnings figure, which keeps repayment manageable for most.
Nursing is where Wagner pays off hard. Graduates of the nursing program earn $95,910, nearly double what business majors make at $49,019 and roughly four times what theatre graduates pull in at $23,538. In the New York City metro, nurses are in constant demand, and that salary makes the debt load trivial. If you come here for nursing, the math works cleanly.
The other majors tell a harder story. Arts, entertainment, and media management ($39,585), psychology ($30,984), and drama/theatre ($23,538) all carry the same debt as nursing but earn a fraction of it. A theatre graduate leaving with roughly $27,000 in debt and $23,538 in income faces a tight decade. Wagner has a strong theatre reputation, but the paycheck does not support the borrowing.
The specific risk here is major choice. The nursing outcome props up the school's median, so the $74,360 figure will not describe your experience if you study psychology or the arts. Retention (82%) and graduation (68%) are decent, so you are likely to finish, but finishing in a low-paying field still leaves you with the full debt.
On net price, families earning under $30,000 pay about $22,751, less than families in the $75,000-$110,000 band who pay $32,550. If you land in that upper-middle bracket, you pay the most and get the least discount, so run the aid numbers carefully before committing.
Come here for nursing. Look hard at the earnings before borrowing for anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wagner College worth the cost?
Wagner College's $27,733 annual net price leads to median earnings of $74,360 after 10 years, which provides reasonable but not exceptional returns. The strong nursing and allied health programs justify costs better than education programs, which show weaker earnings potential.
What are the best paying majors at Wagner College?
Allied health diagnostic programs at Wagner College lead to median earnings of $116,354, while nursing graduates earn around $95,910-$106,421. Education majors earn significantly less at $62,508-$66,029, making program choice critical for ROI.
How much debt do Wagner College graduates have?
Wagner College graduates leave with a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. This debt level is reasonable given the school's net price and earnings outcomes for most programs.
Does Wagner College have good job placement after graduation?
Wagner College's 68% graduation rate is below the national average for four-year colleges. While nursing and health program graduates see strong earning potential, the lower graduation rate suggests academic or financial challenges for some students.