Wade College
Wade College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Wade College Worth It?
At a value score of 23/100, Wade College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $36,657 — 32% below average — while paying $20,778/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $22,938 representing 63% 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 Wade College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wade College compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 34 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 | Concorde Career College-Aurora | 42 | $16,666 | $42,456 |
| #2 | ATI College-Whittier | 33 | $20,467 | $38,938 |
| #3 | American Medical Sciences Center | 25 | $21,629 | $29,972 |
| #4 | PCI College | 24 | $27,439 | $36,141 |
| #5 | Wade College | 23 | $20,778 | $36,657 |
| #6 | Northwest College of Art & Design | 23 | $16,418 | $31,167 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Wade College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in TX.
Best Programs at Wade College
The highest-earning program at Wade College is General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations at $32,200/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations graduate from Wade College earns $32,200, while a General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations graduate earns $32,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations graduates carry $40,875 in median debt vs. $40,875 for General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,778/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $32,200 | $32,200 | $40,875 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Dallas, TX
- Student Body
- 252 students
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,778
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $36,657
- Median Student Debt
- $22,938