Washington College
Washington College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Washington College at a Glance
Washington College is a private liberal arts college in Chestertown, Maryland, United States. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782, making it one of the oldest colleges in the United States and the first college chartered after American independence. George Washington supported the founding of the college by consenting to have the "College at Chester" named in his honor through financial support and service on the college's board of visitors and governors. It became coeducatio…
1723
303 years old
$350M
$349.6 million (2025)
933
112 acres
Identity
Is Washington College Worth It?
Washington College offers moderate value at $27,898/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $65,518, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Washington College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #12 of 37 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 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #2 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #3 | Coe College | 48 | $18,745 | $57,125 |
| #4 | Allegheny College | 47 | $22,940 | $62,069 |
| #5 | Lawrence University | 46 | $23,401 | $55,789 |
| #6 | University of Dallas | 45 | $22,610 | $58,285 |
| #12 | Washington College | 41 | $27,898 | $65,518 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Washington College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Washington College
The highest-earning program at Washington College is Business/Commerce, General at $44,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $27,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business/Commerce, General graduate from Washington College earns $44,300, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $27,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business/Commerce, General graduates carry $23,750 in median debt vs. $23,750 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,898/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/Commerce, General | $44,300 | $44,300 | $23,750 |
| Economics | $42,700 | $42,700 | $24,250 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $35,400 | $35,400 | $24,250 |
| Biology, General | $32,700 | $32,700 | $24,250 |
| Psychology, General | $32,700 | $32,700 | $23,730 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,300 | $28,300 | $24,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $23,750 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Chestertown, MD
- Student Body
- 891 students
- Admission Rate
- 57%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,898
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $65,518
- Median Student Debt
- $26,956