Warner Pacific University
Warner Pacific University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Warner Pacific University at a Glance
Warner Pacific University is a private Christian university in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1937, the university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and affiliated with the Church of God. The university's colors, both Warner Pacific Blue and Mt. Tabor Green, represent the natural beauty of the surrounding Portland environment, specifically the water and evergreen landscape.
1937
89 years old
$22M
$22 million (2025)
410
406 undergrad · 4 grad
Identity
Is Warner Pacific University Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, Warner Pacific University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,204 — 3% above average — while paying $25,629/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% 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 Warner Pacific University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Warner Pacific University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #10 of 44 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 | Homestead Schools | 87 | $15,962 | $59,398 |
| #2 | St Luke's College | 77 | $19,820 | $61,033 |
| #3 | Kettering College | 51 | $21,650 | $67,492 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #6 | Ner Israel Rabbinical College | 42 | $13,572 | $66,330 |
| #10 | Warner Pacific University | 36 | $25,629 | $55,204 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Warner Pacific University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OR.
Best Programs at Warner Pacific University
The highest-earning program at Warner Pacific University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $49,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services at $32,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Warner Pacific University earns $49,400, while a Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduate earns $32,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $29,688 in median debt vs. $27,781 for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,629/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,400 | $49,400 | $29,688 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,500 | $43,500 | $36,950 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $39,900 | $39,900 | $26,781 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $32,300 | $32,300 | $27,781 |
Similar Colleges in OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Portland, OR
- Student Body
- 375 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,629
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,204
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000