Baldwin Wallace University
Baldwin Wallace University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Baldwin Wallace University at a Glance
Baldwin Wallace University (BW) is a private university in Berea, Ohio, United States. Established in 1845 as Baldwin Institute by Methodist businessman and former founder of a utopian community at Berea, Ohio John Baldwin, it merged with nearby German Wallace College in 1913 to become Baldwin-Wallace College. There are two campus sites: Berea, which serves as the main campus, and Corporate College East in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. The university enrolls approximately 3,300 full-time undergrad…
1845
181 years old
$178M
$177.9 million (2020)
3,318
2,842 undergrad · 476 grad
213
120 acres
Identity
Is Baldwin Wallace University Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Baldwin Wallace University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,122 — 1% above average — while paying $27,603/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Baldwin Wallace University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Baldwin Wallace University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #86 of 137 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #86 | Baldwin Wallace University | 33 | $27,603 | $54,122 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Baldwin Wallace University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in OH.
Best Programs at Baldwin Wallace University
The highest-earning program at Baldwin Wallace University is Accounting and Related Services at $48,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Baldwin Wallace University earns $48,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $27,116 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,603/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,600 | $48,600 | $27,116 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,700 | $46,700 | $26,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,400 | $38,400 | $26,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $36,900 | $36,900 | $34,427 |
| Marketing | $36,000 | $36,000 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,600 | $33,600 | $29,583 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $32,400 | $32,400 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,900 | $31,900 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,800 | $30,800 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $27,100 | $27,100 | $32,500 |
| Psychology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $27,000 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $23,400 | $23,400 | $27,000 |
| Music | $21,800 | $21,800 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,500 | $17,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Berea, OH
- Student Body
- 2,842 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,603
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,122
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000