Wabash College
Wabash College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wabash College at a Glance
Wabash College is a private, men's liberal arts college in Crawfordsville, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1832 by a group of Dartmouth College graduates and Midwestern leaders, the institution was originally named "The Wabash Teachers Seminary and Manual Labor College". It was later renamed Wabash College in 1851. The college was founded with the intention of providing classical and English education to young men in the region, aiming to develop future educators and clergy.
1832
194 years old
$465M
$465 million (2025)
835
96
65 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Wabash College
Official admissions pageDecember 1 (EARLY ACTION)
Testing policy
Is Wabash College Worth It?
Wabash College offers moderate value at $24,336/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $69,952, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 77% graduation rate means roughly 23% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Wabash College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 40 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 St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Wabash College | 55 | $24,336 | $69,952 |
| #3 | Coe College | 48 | $18,745 | $57,125 |
| #4 | Bryan College of Health Sciences | 48 | $26,919 | $70,845 |
| #5 | Luther College | 47 | $23,097 | $59,850 |
| #6 | Saint Vincent College | 45 | $23,510 | $59,982 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wabash College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in IN.
Best Programs at Wabash College
The highest-earning program at Wabash College is Economics at $49,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $30,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Wabash College earns $49,100, while a History graduate earns $30,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $25,964 in median debt vs. $27,000 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,336/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $49,100 | $49,100 | $25,964 |
| Psychology, General | $36,800 | $36,800 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $33,700 | $33,700 | $27,000 |
| History | $30,100 | $30,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Crawfordsville, IN
- Student Body
- 866 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,336
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $69,952
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000