Edgewood University
Edgewood University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Edgewood University at a Glance
Edgewood University is a private Dominican university in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It occupies a 55 acres (22 ha) campus overlooking Lake Wingra. Edgewood offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and 25 graduate degrees, and has an enrollment of over 2,400 students.
1927
99 years old
$50M
$50 million (2023)
2,469
1,236 undergrad · 1,233 grad
150
55 acres
Identity
Is Edgewood University Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Edgewood University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $59,728 — 11% above average — while paying $26,113/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Edgewood University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Edgewood University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in WI
Ranked #77 of 198 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 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #6 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #77 | Edgewood University | 37 | $26,113 | $59,728 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Edgewood University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in WI.
Best Programs at Edgewood University
The highest-earning program at Edgewood University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $30,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Edgewood University earns $64,200, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $30,500. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $23,000 in median debt vs. $26,500 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,113/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,200 | $64,200 | $23,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,100 | $41,100 | $23,450 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,600 | $38,600 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,000 | $38,000 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $26,500 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Madison, WI
- Student Body
- 1,107 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,113
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,728
- Median Student Debt
- $24,424