At $20,540/yr net price, Wayland Baptist University graduates earn $51,838/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,838/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,540 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $82,160 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,838/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,838/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 19.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,106 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,610/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,314/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,654/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,676/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,518/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $53,984 | $40,085 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $44,021 | $21,875 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $18,056 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $27,488 | $24,145 |
The Risk Factor
19.2% of students at Wayland Baptist University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Wayland Baptist University's financial picture is shaky, and the reason is the graduation rate. Fewer than one in five students finishes, and less than half return after their first year. That means the biggest risk here isn't debt load or net price, it's that you pay for a degree you never get. Borrowing $23,106 and leaving without a credential is the worst outcome, and at this school it's the most common path.
If you do graduate, the median payoff is modest. Ten-year earnings sit near the low $50Ks, which clears the debt but doesn't leave much room. The program data makes the picture more mixed. Business Administration is the strongest bachelor's bet, pairing the highest earnings with the lowest debt of the three listed majors. Criminal Justice and Corrections is the one to think hard about: it carries the most debt of the three, over $24K, and produces the lowest earnings, under $28K. That combination doesn't work financially. Liberal Arts lands in the middle, with low earnings but the lightest debt.
The net price tiers here are backwards from what you'd want. Lower-income families pay the least, around $18,300 to $18,600, while families over $110K pay closer to $23,500. But even the discounted price for a family under $30K is a real burden if you don't finish, and finishing is the coin flip this school hands you.
Wayland is a reasonable financial fit if you're set on Business Administration, confident you'll graduate, and drawn to the school for reasons beyond earnings. If you're leaning toward Criminal Justice, or unsure you'll stick around, the numbers say look elsewhere. The retention rate is your warning sign before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wayland Baptist University worth the cost?
With a 19% graduation rate and median earnings of $51,838 ten years after enrollment, Wayland Baptist University presents significant value concerns. The $23,106 median debt load is manageable, but the extremely low graduation rate means most students don't complete their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Wayland Baptist University?
Business Administration graduates earn around $54,000 annually, making it the strongest ROI program at Wayland Baptist University. Criminal Justice majors earn significantly less at $27,488, while Liberal Arts graduates average $35,060.
How much debt do Wayland Baptist University graduates have?
Wayland Baptist University graduates carry a median debt of $23,106, which is relatively low compared to national averages. However, with only 19% of students actually graduating, most who attend accumulate debt without earning a degree.
Does Wayland Baptist University have good job outcomes?
Wayland Baptist University graduates earn $51,838 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for college graduates. The extremely low 19% graduation rate means job outcomes are only relevant for a small fraction of students who enroll.