Skip to main content
45.1%Acceptance
$14,776Tuition
602Students
16%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$38,298Earnings
Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNAIAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24HBCUAfrican Methodist Episcopal
Return on Investment: Strong

At $7,349/yr net price, Wilberforce University graduates earn $38,298/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,298/yr above the median for high school graduates.

Cost vs. Outcomes

Return on investment data for Wilberforce University
Metric Value
Average Net Price (per year) $7,349
Estimated 4-Year Cost $29,396
Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) $38,298/yr
Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma +$4,298/yr
Estimated Break-Even 6.8 years
Graduation Rate (6-year) 16.0%
Median Debt at Graduation $26,468

What You'll Actually Pay

Average net price by family income

Net price by family income for Wilberforce University
Family Income Estimated Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $5,606/yr
$30,001 - $48,000 $9,908/yr
$48,001 - $75,000 $10,244/yr
$75,001 - $110,000 $10,794/yr
$110,001+ $13,684/yr

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program at Wilberforce University
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. Bachelor $36,668 $22,893
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. Bachelor $30,409

The Risk Factor

Completion Risk: High Risk

16.0% of students at Wilberforce 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

Wilberforce University keeps costs low, but the numbers on the other end are hard to defend. You pay $7,349 a year on average, and a decade after enrolling the median graduate earns $38,298. That low net price is the main thing working in your favor here, because the earnings and completion figures are not.

The graduation rate is the number that should stop you: 16 percent. Fewer than one in five students who start finish. Retention holds up better at roughly 70 percent, so students come back for a second year, but the gap between that and the final graduation figure means most people leave somewhere along the way, usually with debt and no degree to show for it.

On majors, your two listed bachelor's paths tell a clear story. Business graduates earn about $36,668 and carry around $22,893 in debt. The rehabilitation and therapeutic professions track pays less, roughly $30,409. Neither clears $40,000, and the rehab path leaves you with the weakest return of the two. Business is the safer bet if you enroll here.

The financial risk is not the sticker price. It's the odds you don't finish. Median debt sits at $26,468, and if you're part of the 84 percent who don't graduate, you're carrying loans against no credential. That's the specific trap at Wilberforce.

The net price tiers are close to flat across incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $5,606. over $110,000, you pay $13,684. Even at the top, the cost stays modest compared to most private nonprofits.

This school fits you if the low cost matters most and you're committed to finishing the business program. If completion odds and starting salary drive your decision, look elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wilberforce University worth the cost?

Wilberforce University offers a low net price of $7,349 annually, but graduates earn just $38,298 ten years after enrollment, which is below national averages. The 16% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their degrees.

What is the return on investment for Wilberforce University graduates?

With median debt of $26,468 and starting salaries around $38,000, graduates face a challenging debt-to-income ratio. The low graduation rate means most students may not see any return on their investment.

Which programs at Wilberforce University have the best job prospects?

Business and management graduates earn about $36,668 annually, while rehabilitation and therapeutic professions graduates earn $30,409. Both figures are modest compared to national averages for these fields.

How much student debt do Wilberforce University graduates typically have?

Graduates carry a median debt of $26,468, which represents about 69% of their annual starting salary. This debt burden is manageable compared to many private colleges, but the low graduation rate means many students accumulate debt without finishing their degrees.