Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Washington & Jefferson College at a Glance
Washington & Jefferson College is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, United States. It traces its origin to three Presbyterian missionaries of the 1780s, John McMillan, Thaddeus Dod, and Joseph Smith, whose early schools evolved into two rival institutions: Washington College in Washington, and Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The two colleges merged in 1865 to form Washington & Jefferson College.
1781
245 years old
$123M
$122.9 million (2020)
1,149
60 acres
Identity
Is Washington & Jefferson College Worth It?
Washington & Jefferson College offers moderate value at $25,002/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $67,918, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 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 & Jefferson College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #24 of 161 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 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | 100 | $10,420 | $75,103 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #6 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #24 | Washington & Jefferson College | 48 | $25,002 | $67,918 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Washington & Jefferson College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 20 in PA.
Best Programs at Washington & Jefferson College
The highest-earning program at Washington & Jefferson College is Accounting and Related Services at $49,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $30,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Washington & Jefferson College earns $49,800, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $30,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,002/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,800 | $49,800 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $40,700 | $40,700 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $38,300 | $38,300 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Washington, PA
- Student Body
- 1,295 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,002
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,918
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000