At $20,800/yr net price, Westminster College graduates earn $53,861/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,861/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,800 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,861/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,861/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,060 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,065/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,941/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,699/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,739/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,986/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $57,318 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $53,775 | $26,638 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $43,798 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $41,937 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,649 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $35,600 | |
| Education, Other. | Bachelor | $34,847 | $27,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $32,711 |
The Risk Factor
65.9% of students at Westminster College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 34% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Westminster College gives you a middling financial return that leans heavily on which major you pick. Median earnings ten years out sit at about $54,000, while median debt runs around $26,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio works if you land in the right program and falls apart if you don't.
Accounting is the clear winner here. It pays close to $54,000 on its own and carries roughly the same debt as everything else, so you get the full earnings without a debt penalty. Every other bachelor's program on the list pays less than the school-wide median. Business administration, biology, English, and education all land in the mid-to-high $30,000s while carrying $26,000 to $27,000 in debt. Paying $27,000 to earn $35,000 as an English or education graduate is a weak trade, and you should go in with your eyes open.
The specific risk at Westminster is that most of its strongest-earning majors, outside accounting, cluster in the $35,000-$38,000 range. New Wilmington sits in western Pennsylvania, and these salaries reflect a regional job market that doesn't pay a premium for a biology or education degree. If your plan needs graduate school to pay off, factor that cost on top of the undergraduate debt.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $19,000, but the $30,000-$48,000 tier pays only about $15,000, the lowest of any group. Families in the $48,000-$110,000 range pay close to $20,000, and over $110,000 pays nearly $24,000.
Westminster is a good financial fit if you're committed to accounting or a career path where the network matters more than starting pay. If you want biology, English, or education, price the debt carefully and compare a cheaper public option first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Westminster College worth the cost?
Westminster College's graduates earn $53,861 annually ten years after starting, which is modest given the $20,800 net price and $26,060 median debt. The return on investment is acceptable but not strong, especially outside of education and accounting programs.
What are the highest paying majors at Westminster College?
Educational Administration leads at $57,318 annually, followed by Accounting at $53,775. Business Management graduates earn significantly less at $38,649, making program choice critical for financial outcomes.
How much debt do Westminster College graduates have?
The median debt is $26,060, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with only a 66% graduation rate, many students take on debt without completing their degree.
Does Westminster College provide good financial aid?
The net price of $20,800 suggests decent financial aid for a private college. This makes Westminster more affordable than its sticker price, though outcomes vary significantly by major.