At $25,157/yr net price, Waynesburg University graduates earn $58,537/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,537/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,157 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $100,628 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,537/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,537/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,790/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,018/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,354/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,404/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,697/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $78,343 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $67,660 | $23,951 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,358 | $27,000 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $39,009 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $27,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $36,914 | $40,813 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $32,382 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $29,141 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
60.5% of students at Waynesburg University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Waynesburg University gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on which major you pick. The median graduate earns $58,537 ten years out against $27,000 in debt, which is a manageable ratio. But that median hides a wide gap between nursing and everything else.
Nursing is the clear winner here. At $60,358, it more than doubles what a Biology graduate earns and pays off the $27,000 debt load without strain. If you come here for nursing, the numbers work. Business Administration, the next-highest program, drops to $37,208, which makes the same debt harder to carry.
The other programs are where the risk shows up. Biology, Criminal Justice, and Communication all leave graduates earning under $33,000 while carrying the identical $27,000 in debt. A Communication graduate at $26,353 is taking on the same loan as a nurse for less than half the return. If your target is one of these fields, this school's price is hard to justify on earnings alone.
The financial risk is concentrated in that debt-to-earnings mismatch for non-nursing majors, plus a 60.5% graduation rate. Nearly four in ten students don't finish in the expected time, and leaving with debt but no degree is the worst outcome available.
The net price scales gently with income. If your family earns under $30k, you'll pay about $19,790. above $110k, roughly $28,697. The gap between the lowest and highest tiers is under $9,000, so lower-income families get some relief but not a dramatic discount.
Come here if you want nursing or another clinical health path. If you're drawn to biology, criminal justice, or communication, price out a cheaper public option before committing to this debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waynesburg University worth the cost?
Waynesburg University's value depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn $60,000-$78,000 annually, making the $25,157 yearly cost reasonable, but other programs like educational media design ($39,009) offer weaker returns on investment.
What is the ROI for Waynesburg University graduates?
With average earnings of $58,537 ten years after graduation and median debt of $27,000, Waynesburg provides modest returns. The 60.5% graduation rate means 4 in 10 students don't finish, increasing financial risk.
Which Waynesburg University programs have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Waynesburg University offer the strongest career outcomes, with graduates earning $60,000-$78,000 annually. Business administration shows mixed results, with some graduates earning $67,660 while others make only $37,208.
How much debt do Waynesburg University students typically graduate with?
Waynesburg University graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable for nursing majors but potentially burdensome for lower-earning programs. The $25,157 annual net price adds up quickly over four years.