Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Case Western Reserve University at a Glance
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It was federated in 1967 by a merger between Western Reserve University, founded in 1826 by the Presbyterian Church, and the Case Institute of Technology, founded in 1880. In 2024, the university enrolled 12,475 students from all 50 U.S. states and 106 countries, and employed more than 1,182 full-time faculty members.
1826
200 years old
$2.5B
$2.52 billion (2025)
12,475
6,528 undergrad · 5,947 grad
1,182
267 acres
Identity
Is Case Western Reserve University Worth It?
Case Western Reserve University offers moderate value at $41,190/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $87,989, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 87% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
How Case Western Reserve University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 4 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 | University of Rochester | 57 | $29,278 | $79,042 |
| #2 | Villanova University | 53 | $43,756 | $100,423 |
| #3 | Brandeis University | 47 | $35,736 | $77,231 |
| #4 | Case Western Reserve University | 46 | $41,190 | $87,989 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Case Western Reserve University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Case Western Reserve University
The highest-earning program at Case Western Reserve University is Computer Science at $69,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Case Western Reserve University earns $69,200, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $22,000. 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: Computer Science graduates carry $20,000 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $41,190/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $69,200 | $69,200 | $20,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $69,200 | $69,200 | $21,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,700 | $65,700 | $23,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,400 | $65,400 | $23,000 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $60,300 | $60,300 | $26,974 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $60,100 | $60,100 | $21,334 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,400 | $59,400 | $23,375 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $55,900 | $55,900 | $23,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,700 | $53,700 | $25,214 |
| Economics | $40,000 | $40,000 | $23,116 |
| Anthropology | $24,600 | $24,600 | $24,348 |
| Biology, General | $22,000 | $22,000 | $25,630 |
| Psychology, General | $22,000 | $22,000 | $23,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Cleveland, OH
- Student Body
- 6,437 students
- Admission Rate
- 37%
- Graduation Rate
- 87%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $41,190
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $87,989
- Median Student Debt
- $24,000