At $19,040/yr net price, Wheeling University graduates earn $57,949/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,949/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,040 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $76,160 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,949/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,949/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,125 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,139/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,524/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,257/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,265/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,026/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 | $91,744 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,999 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $54,531 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $37,568 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $26,732 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,964 |
The Risk Factor
32.0% of students at Wheeling 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
Wheeling University runs a mixed financial picture that leans risky, and the split comes down entirely to which major you pick. Nursing graduates earn near $60,000, roughly double what accounting graduates make and nearly triple what business administration, education, and psychology graduates pull in. That gap is the whole story here. Nursing is the one program that reliably pays back the $25,125 median debt. The others leave you carrying similar debt on much thinner paychecks.
Business administration is the clearest warning. You graduate with more debt than the school's median but earn barely over $31,000, and psychology graduates at around $22,000 are close to what many jobs pay without a degree at all. Education and psychology at this price do not add up.
The bigger risk is finishing. Only a third of students graduate, and just under two-thirds return for a second year. If you borrow, start a program, and leave without the degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump. That risk is real for anyone here, not a hypothetical.
The net price structure works against middle-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $13,500 to $14,000 a year. Cross into the $48,000 to $75,000 band and the price jumps to over $19,000, then keeps climbing above $22,000 for families over $110,000. The steepest cost increase hits families who are comfortable but not wealthy.
This school is a reasonable bet if you are set on nursing and confident you will finish. If you are drawn to psychology, education, or general business, the numbers say look for a cheaper option or a school where those majors earn more. Wheeling only pays off in a narrow lane, and you need to be in that lane before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wheeling University worth the cost?
Wheeling University's ROI depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn strong salaries around $91,744, but the 32% graduation rate means many students leave without degrees and still owe money.
What programs at Wheeling University have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Wheeling University offer the strongest return, with graduates earning $59,999 to $91,744 annually. Business and accounting graduates typically earn much less at $31,133 to $37,568.
How much debt do Wheeling University graduates have?
Wheeling University graduates carry a median debt of $25,125. With only 32% of students graduating, many leave with debt but no degree to show for it.
Does Wheeling University provide good financial aid?
The net price at Wheeling University averages $19,040 per year after aid. However, low graduation rates mean financial aid often goes toward incomplete degrees rather than career preparation.