Wilberforce University: 45.1% Acceptance Rate

45.1%Acceptance

$14,776Tuition

602Students

16%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,298Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNAIAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24HBCUAfrican Methodist Episcopal

About Wilberforce University

Wilberforce University claims the distinction of being the first university owned and operated by African Americans, established in 1856 before the Civil War ended. This historically black institution serves 602 students on a rural campus in southwestern Ohio. The university emerged from the African Methodist Episcopal Church's commitment to education and has maintained its religious affiliation throughout its history. Students here join a legacy of pioneering African American higher education that predates most other HBCUs.

The financial picture reveals both opportunity and challenge. Students typically pay $7,349 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable private college experiences available. Nearly three-quarters of students receive federal Pell Grants, reflecting the university's mission to serve first-generation and low-income students. However, graduates earn a median of $38,298 ten years after graduation while carrying $26,468 in debt. The low graduation rate of 16% over six years suggests many students struggle to complete their degrees.

The intimate campus houses 400 students in residence halls, creating a close-knit community where the 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention. Nearly 80% of students are Black, maintaining the university's identity as a space for African American academic achievement. Five NAIA sports teams compete as the Bulldogs, though athletic scholarships aren't available.

Academics & Faculty

Wilberforce University holds the distinction of being America's first university owned and operated by African Americans, founded in 1856 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in small classes across liberal arts and professional programs. However, academic success varies among the 602 enrolled students. Only 16% graduate within six years, indicating substantial academic challenges despite the intimate learning environment. The university emphasizes business, education, and social work programs rooted in its historical mission of African American leadership development. Students receive close mentorship from faculty, but the low graduation rates suggest many struggle to complete their degrees within traditional timeframes.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 63.3%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 31.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 16.0%
Retention Rate: 69.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,298
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other.	Bachelor	$36,668
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.	Bachelor	$30,409

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Campus Life

Wilberforce sits in rural Ohio about 20 miles northeast of Dayton, where students bundle up for snowy winters and enjoy mild summers. With housing for 400 students and total enrollment of 602, most students live on the compact campus that feels more like a close-knit community than a sprawling university. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and notice when you skip class.

Weekend life centers around campus since the rural setting offers limited off-campus entertainment. Students gather for basketball games and other NAIA athletics, though only 82 students compete in the five varsity sports. The African Methodist Episcopal heritage shapes campus traditions and spiritual life. Greek organizations provide social outlets, and many students head to nearby Xenia or make the drive to Dayton for shopping and restaurants. The tight campus community means everyone knows everyone, creating lifelong bonds but sometimes feeling restrictive for students seeking anonymity. Snow boots are essential for Ohio winters, and having a car helps for weekend adventures beyond the rural campus boundaries.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 400 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1856

Campus Safety (2023)

9 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Burglary	2	2
Fondling	2	1
Stalking	1	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 22°–37°F
July Avg: 64°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 43.3"
Annual Snowfall: 20.3"

Student Demographics

Students at this historically black university come from working-class families, with three-quarters qualifying for Pell Grants. The 603-student body draws from both Ohio and beyond, reflecting the institution's reputation as the nation's first African American-owned university. Nearly 80% of students are Black, connecting to Wilberforce's founding mission in 1856. The even gender split of 50-50 male-female suggests balanced programming across disciplines. Students choose Wilberforce for its intimate 12:1 student-faculty ratio and deep roots in African Methodist Episcopal tradition, seeking both academic opportunity and cultural heritage.

Men: 50.0%
Women: 50.0%
White: 0.5%
Black: 79.2%
Hispanic: 0.2%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 42.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 74.4%

Location

Wilberforce University sits in Wilberforce, Ohio, about 20 miles northeast of Dayton and 50 miles from Columbus. The campus occupies 125 acres in a rural community that formed around the university itself when it was founded in 1856. This small Ohio town developed specifically to support the nation's first African American-owned university. The surrounding Greene County landscape features rolling farmland and small communities typical of southwestern Ohio. With just 602 students on campus, the university creates an intimate atmosphere in this quiet setting. The rural-fringe location offers a focused academic environment away from urban distractions. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Wilberforce University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Wilberforce, Ohio 45384-1001

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $38,298
Median Earnings (5 years): $43,008
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 36.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $281/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $26,468

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Wilberforce University?

Wilberforce University admits 45.12% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The school typically accepts students with an SAT average of 890 and maintains its historic mission as the first university owned and operated by African Americans.

How much does Wilberforce University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $7,349 after aid at Wilberforce University. With 74.36% of students receiving financial aid and many qualifying for substantial support, the school keeps costs manageable for families earning under $30,000 who pay just $5,606 annually.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Wilberforce University?

Wilberforce University maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio with just 602 total students. This small African Methodist Episcopal institution provides intimate class sizes that reflect its commitment to personalized education in a close-knit community setting.

What are the graduation outcomes at Wilberforce University?

Wilberforce University has a 16% six-year graduation rate and graduates earn a median salary of $38,298 ten years after enrollment. While retention challenges exist with a 69.59% first-year return rate, the school's HBCU legacy continues to serve students seeking an affordable historically black university experience.

Where is Wilberforce University located and what is campus life like?

Wilberforce University sits in rural-fringe Wilberforce, Ohio with housing for 400 students. The campus serves as home to the Bulldogs athletic teams competing in five NAIA sports, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere typical of small historically black colleges.

What makes Wilberforce University historically significant?

Founded in 1856, Wilberforce University holds the distinction of being the first university owned and operated by African Americans. Today 79.24% of its 602 students are Black, continuing the institution's nearly 170-year legacy of providing higher education opportunities rooted in the African Methodist Episcopal tradition.