At $15,216/yr net price, Wright State University-Main Campus graduates earn $49,500/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,500/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,216 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $60,864 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,500/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,500/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,987/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,722/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,828/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,191/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,250/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $96,090 | $47,165 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $79,284 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $77,213 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $73,070 | |
| Engineering Science. | Master | $72,022 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $71,643 | $146,178 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $69,338 | $34,500 |
| Economics. | Master | $65,238 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,307 | $22,772 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,260 | $22,117 |
The Risk Factor
45.9% of students at Wright State University-Main Campus 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
Wright State gives you a mixed financial picture that depends almost entirely on your major. The $49,500 median earnings across all graduates sits below what the strongest programs deliver, so picking the right field here matters more than at schools with tighter salary spreads.
Engineering and computing are where the money is. Mechanical engineering and electrical engineering graduates out-earn the campus median by more than $12,000 a year, and they do it while carrying roughly the same debt as everyone else. Computer engineering is the sharpest deal on the list: solid pay with the lowest debt of any top program at $17,778. Nursing and general computer science also clear the median comfortably. If you're headed into one of these five fields, the numbers work in your favor, and Dayton's engineering and healthcare employers give you somewhere local to use the degree.
The risk is that no bachelor program outside these five appears in the earnings data, so if you enroll in a lower-paying major, you're closer to the $49,500 median while still paying the same net price and taking on similar debt. Compounding that: only 46% of students graduate within the tracked window, and just 63% return after year one. Dropping out leaves you with debt and no degree, and that's the real financial danger here.
Cost scales steeply with income. If your family earns under $48k, you pay around $11,000-$12,000 a year, which keeps the engineering payoff strong. Above $110k, you pay $20,250, and the return only holds if you finish in a high-earning field.
Wright State fits you if you're committed to engineering, computing, or nursing and can finish. If you're undecided or drawn to a major not shown here, weigh that graduation risk carefully before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wright State University-Main Campus worth the cost?
Wright State offers decent value with a net price of $15,216 and median debt of $22,750, but the 45.9% graduation rate creates significant risk. The return depends heavily on your major, with nursing and engineering programs showing strong earnings while general business graduates earn less.
What are the highest paying majors at Wright State University-Main Campus?
Nursing programs lead with $96,090 median earnings, followed by electrical engineering at $79,284 and mechanical engineering at $77,213. These programs justify the cost better than general business, which pays $73,070.
How much debt do Wright State University-Main Campus graduates have?
The median debt is $22,750, which is manageable for nursing and engineering graduates but could strain repayment for lower-earning majors. With nearly half of students not graduating, debt without a degree is a real concern.
Does Wright State University-Main Campus have good job outcomes?
Graduates earn $49,500 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable for the debt load in high-paying programs. However, the 45.9% graduation rate means many students leave without completing their degree, making the investment risky.