At $22,921/yr net price, Wells College graduates earn $51,094/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,094/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,921 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,684 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,094/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,094/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 40.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,281/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,030/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,000/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,997/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,684/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other. | Bachelor | $21,964 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $17,560 | $26,500 |
The Risk Factor
40.9% of students at Wells 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
Wells College closed in 2024, but its numbers tell a clear cautionary story. The median graduate earns about $51,000 ten years out against a $22,921 yearly net price, which puts the return in mixed-to-weak territory once you factor in the low completion odds. Only about 41% of students graduated, and just half returned after their first year, so the sticker math assumes an outcome most students here never reached.
The program-level earnings are the real problem. Every listed bachelor's field,natural resources conservation, sociology, visual and performing arts, and general psychology,reports earnings in the low-to-mid $20,000s or below. General psychology sits at $17,560 while carrying $26,500 in debt, which is a loan you cannot service on that income. None of these majors clears what the median graduate earns overall, so if these are the degrees you'd pursue, the financial case falls apart.
The specific risk here is dropout debt. With a 50% retention rate, you carry a real chance of leaving with loans and no degree. The typical debt load of $26,000 is manageable only if you finish and land above the program earnings shown, and the data doesn't show that happening.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $17,300. above $110,000, you pay over $30,000. Even the discounted price for low-income families outruns the early-career earnings of these programs.
This school made financial sense only if you finished, kept debt low, and moved into a field paying more than the arts and social-science tracks listed. For most family budgets and most of these majors, the numbers don't work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wells College worth the cost for the career outcomes?
Wells College graduates earn a median of $51,094 ten years after graduation, which is below average for the $22,921 annual net price. The 40.9% graduation rate suggests many students don't complete their degrees, making the investment risky.
Which Wells College programs offer the best return on investment?
Natural Resources Conservation offers the highest starting earnings at $26,353, followed by Sociology programs. Psychology graduates start at just $17,560, making it a poor financial choice given the school's costs.
How much debt do Wells College students typically graduate with?
Wells College graduates carry a median debt of $26,000. With starting salaries around $17,000-$26,000 for most programs, this debt load creates a challenging repayment situation for many graduates.
Does Wells College provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
The net price of $22,921 after financial aid is still substantial given the low graduation rate and modest earning potential. Many students may struggle to see positive returns on this investment.