About Wright State University-Lake Campus
Wright State's Lake Campus serves rural western Ohio with just 984 students in a tight-knit academic community. This regional branch focuses on practical degrees and career preparation with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. Nearly everyone gets in with a 99.85% acceptance rate, making it accessible to students seeking affordable higher education close to home. The campus sits in Celina, drawing 97% of its students from Ohio.
Students pay an average net price of $12,603 after financial aid, well below many four-year options. Graduates earn a median of $49,500 ten years after starting college, creating a reasonable return on investment. Monthly loan payments average $241, manageable given the modest median debt of $22,750. The numbers work for students seeking practical value without breaking the bank.
The campus maintains a small-town feel with only 96 housing spots and limited athletics. Women make up 59% of the student body on this predominantly white campus. The 43% four-year graduation rate reflects the working-student reality many face, though 95% find employment after graduation. Students here often balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing degrees in a supportive, accessible environment.
Students pay an average net price of $12,603 after financial aid, well below many four-year options. Graduates earn a median of $49,500 ten years after starting college, creating a reasonable return on investment. Monthly loan payments average $241, manageable given the modest median debt of $22,750. The numbers work for students seeking practical value without breaking the bank.
The campus maintains a small-town feel with only 96 housing spots and limited athletics. Women make up 59% of the student body on this predominantly white campus. The 43% four-year graduation rate reflects the working-student reality many face, though 95% find employment after graduation. Students here often balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing degrees in a supportive, accessible environment.
Academics & Faculty
This regional campus of Wright State University operates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, creating an intimate learning environment where professors know students by name. The school offers both associate and bachelor's degrees across traditional liberal arts and professional programs. With only 984 students enrolled, classes stay small and personalized. However, the 42.5% six-year graduation rate suggests students may struggle with academic persistence or transfer to other institutions to complete their degrees. The campus serves as a stepping stone for many Ohio students who want university-level coursework close to home. Academic support runs high due to the small scale, but degree completion remains a challenge for many who enroll.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56.8%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 42.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 42.5%
- Retention Rate
- 64.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $49,500
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,307 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,494 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $41,565 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,698 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $32,284 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $31,314 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,517 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $28,960 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Associate | $24,936 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $24,421 |
Campus Life
Celina sits about 90 minutes from both Columbus and Dayton, placing this Wright State branch campus in Ohio's agricultural heartland. With only 96 beds for 984 students, just under 10% live on campus. Most students commute from surrounding rural communities where 97% of the student body calls Ohio home.
The intimate setting means your biology professor will know your name in classes averaging 13 students per instructor. Winter coats are essential from December through March when snow blankets the flat farmland. Students often head to nearby Grand Lake St. Marys for weekend recreation or drive to larger cities for entertainment options. The campus offers two varsity sports with 35 total athletes competing.
This feels more like an extended high school than a traditional college experience. The 65% retention rate suggests many students transfer after getting their feet wet in higher education. With 42% graduating within six years, Wright State Lake Campus serves as an affordable stepping stone where students pay $7,504 in-state tuition while figuring out their next academic move.
The intimate setting means your biology professor will know your name in classes averaging 13 students per instructor. Winter coats are essential from December through March when snow blankets the flat farmland. Students often head to nearby Grand Lake St. Marys for weekend recreation or drive to larger cities for entertainment options. The campus offers two varsity sports with 35 total athletes competing.
This feels more like an extended high school than a traditional college experience. The 65% retention rate suggests many students transfer after getting their feet wet in higher education. With 42% graduating within six years, Wright State Lake Campus serves as an affordable stepping stone where students pay $7,504 in-state tuition while figuring out their next academic move.
- Setting
- Rural-Fringe
- Housing Capacity
- 96 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 19°–32°F
- July Avg
- 63°–83°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 38.2"
- Annual Snowfall
- 30.1"
Student Demographics
Wright State's Lake Campus draws almost entirely from Ohio, with 97% of its 984 students coming from in-state. The student body reflects the rural western Ohio region it serves, with women making up nearly 60% of enrollment. This gender split aligns with the campus's focus on education, health, and business programs that traditionally attract more female students. Only 16% receive Pell Grants, suggesting the school primarily serves middle-class families from surrounding agricultural communities. Students choose this campus for its small-town atmosphere and direct pathways to four-year degrees without leaving their home region.
- Men
- 41.4%
- Women
- 58.6%
- White
- 87.7%
- Black
- 4.9%
- Hispanic
- 2.3%
- Asian
- 1.0%
- In-State Students
- 97.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 15.8%
Location
Wright State University-Lake Campus sits in Celina, Ohio, a small town about 75 miles northwest of Columbus and 90 miles north of Dayton. The campus serves a rural farming region in west-central Ohio near the Indiana border. Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio's largest inland lake, sits just outside town and draws recreational boaters and fishers. The area remains deeply agricultural with corn and soybean fields stretching in all directions. Only 2.9% of students come from out of state, reflecting the campus's role as a local educational center. The setting offers a quiet, close-knit community atmosphere typical of rural Ohio. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Wright State University-Lake Campus with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Celina, Ohio 45822-2952
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $49,500
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $57,485
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $34,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 53.4%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $241/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,750
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Wright State University-Lake Campus?
Wright State University-Lake Campus accepts 99.85% of applicants with an average ACT score of 21. This regional branch campus provides nearly open access to higher education in rural western Ohio.
How much does Wright State University-Lake Campus cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $12,603 annually at Wright State University-Lake Campus. In-state tuition is $7,504, making it an affordable option for Ohio residents seeking a small-campus university experience.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Wright State University-Lake Campus?
Wright State University-Lake Campus maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio with total enrollment of 984 students. This small regional campus focuses on providing intimate class sizes and personalized attention.
What are the graduation rates at Wright State University-Lake Campus?
Wright State University-Lake Campus has a 42.5% six-year graduation rate and a 64.82% retention rate. Graduates earn a median of $49,500 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the campus's focus on practical career preparation.
Where do students live at Wright State University-Lake Campus?
Wright State University-Lake Campus has housing capacity for only 96 students, with 97.15% of the student body coming from Ohio. Most students commute from the surrounding rural communities near Grand Lake St. Marys.
Does Wright State University-Lake Campus offer varsity sports?
Wright State University-Lake Campus offers just 2 varsity sports with 35 total athletes and no athletic scholarships available. The small campus focuses more on academics than athletics, serving as a regional extension of the main Wright State University system.
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