At $28,248/yr net price, Woodbury University graduates earn $65,668/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $31,668/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $28,248 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $112,992 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,668/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$31,668/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,960 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $25,368/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $27,418/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,615/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,628/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,434/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,997 | $51,250 |
| Architecture. | Master | $53,358 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $19,500 |
| Architecture. | Bachelor | $49,064 | $41,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $47,260 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $25,774 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
54.8% of students at Woodbury University 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
Woodbury University's financial picture is mixed. You pay $28,248 a year and leave with median earnings of $65,668 after ten years, which clears the cost but not by a wide margin for a private school. The 54.80% graduation rate is the bigger concern: nearly half of students don't finish, and if you drop out you carry debt without the degree that pays it back.
The strongest bet here is Business Administration. It pairs the highest early-career pay of any listed program with the lowest debt at $19,500, so you come out ahead fast. Accounting and Marketing land in a reasonable middle. Architecture is the trap to watch: early pay lands close to business, but you borrow $41,250 to get there, more than double the business load. That debt-to-earnings gap makes architecture the riskiest major on this list financially. Specialized Sales sits at the bottom on pay and is the weakest financial choice.
The main risk at Woodbury is the combination of private-school pricing and a coin-flip graduation rate. You commit to full four-year costs without a strong guarantee you'll finish. The 79.65% retention rate means one in five students leaves after the first year.
The net price tiers are close to flat across incomes. Families earning under $30k pay $25,368, and even families over $110k pay $34,434, so the discount for low income here is small. If you're a lower-income family expecting deep aid, Woodbury doesn't stretch much further for you than for wealthier families.
Woodbury fits you if you're going into business or accounting and confident you'll graduate. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to architecture and debt-sensitive, or if you need a school that cuts price sharply for lower incomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Woodbury University worth the cost for most students?
Woodbury University's ROI is below average, with graduates earning $65,668 ten years after enrollment while facing a median debt of $26,960. The 55% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degrees, making this a risky investment for many.
Which Woodbury University programs have the best return on investment?
Business Administration and Management programs at Woodbury show the strongest earnings at around $64,000, while Architecture graduates typically earn $49,000-$53,000. Accounting graduates earn significantly less at $47,260, making it the weakest ROI among top programs.
How much student debt do Woodbury University graduates typically have?
Woodbury graduates carry a median debt of $26,960, which is manageable compared to the national average. However, with starting salaries often below $50,000 in many programs, loan payments may still strain budgets for several years.
Does Woodbury University offer enough financial aid to make it affordable?
With a net price of $28,248 annually, Woodbury provides some financial aid but costs remain high for a regional private university. Students should compare aid packages carefully since the school's outcomes don't justify premium pricing for most majors.