At $22,872/yr net price, Wilmington College graduates earn $48,491/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,491/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,872 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,488 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,491/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,491/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,208 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,772/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,406/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,292/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,801/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,658/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $20,149 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,123 | $20,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Bachelor | $36,437 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $32,284 | |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $26,697 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $31,133 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $24,267 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
55.1% of students at Wilmington 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
Wilmington College gives you a middling financial return. Median earnings ten years out land just under $48,500, while median debt sits above $24,000 and the sticker net price runs close to $23,000 a year. You can come out ahead here, but only if you pick the right major and finish, and finishing is not a given when barely half of students graduate.
Accounting is the clear winner. It pays the most of any program listed and carries the lowest debt, so the math works cleanly in its favor. Business administration follows at a respectable distance. After that, the picture drops off fast. Agricultural business, communication, and psychology all pay in the low-to-mid $30,000s, and psychology graduates earn barely more than $32,000 while facing the same net price as everyone else. If you enroll for one of those three, your degree may not cover the cost you took on to get it.
The specific risk here is the retention rate. Nearly a third of students don't return after their first year, and if you leave with debt but no degree, you get the loan payments without the earnings bump. The gap between accounting's payoff and psychology's makes your choice of major the single biggest financial decision you make on this campus.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay under $14,000 a year. Above roughly $48,000, the price jumps past $25,000 and stays there, so middle- and upper-income families see little discount and should weigh that full cost hard.
This school fits you if you're headed for accounting or business and can commit to finishing. If you're drawn to psychology or communication, or you're on the fence about staying, look for a cheaper option before you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wilmington College worth the cost for most students?
With graduates earning $48,491 ten years after enrollment and median debt of $24,208, Wilmington College offers mixed value depending on your major. The accounting program shows strong returns at $52,107, but psychology and communications graduates earn well below the national average.
What are the best paying majors at Wilmington College?
Accounting leads with $52,107 average earnings, followed by business administration at $42,123. Agricultural business, communications, and psychology all show weaker financial returns, with psychology graduates earning just $32,284.
How much debt do Wilmington College graduates typically have?
Median debt is $24,208, which is manageable for accounting and business majors but creates financial strain for lower-earning fields like psychology and communications. The 55% graduation rate means many students leave with debt but no degree.
Does Wilmington College have good financial aid?
The net price of $22,872 per year suggests modest financial aid given the school's high acceptance rate of 88%. Students should carefully evaluate aid packages against expected earnings in their chosen field.