Wayne State College
Wayne State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wayne State College at a Glance
Wayne State College (WSC) is a public college in Wayne, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Nebraska State College System and enrolls 4,623 students. Their mascot is the Wildcat. The college was preceded by the Nebraska Normal College, which was formed in 1891 by J.M. Pile. Control of the college was later transferred to the state, and it was officially formed in 1910 as the Wayne State Normal College. The college changed its name to Wayne State College in 1963.
1910
116 years old
4,623
128 acres
Identity
Is Wayne State College Worth It?
Wayne State College offers moderate value at $15,360/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,075, which is 12% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% 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.
How Wayne State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #99 of 231 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #5 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #6 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #99 | Wayne State College | 41 | $15,360 | $47,075 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Wayne State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in NE.
Best Programs at Wayne State College
The highest-earning program at Wayne State College is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at $37,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $22,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduate from Wayne State College earns $37,800, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $22,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduates carry $22,617 in median debt vs. $21,500 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,360/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,800 | $37,800 | $22,617 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,600 | $37,600 | $17,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,100 | $34,100 | $19,077 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,000 | $32,000 | $22,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,200 | $22,200 | $21,500 |
Similar Colleges in NE
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Wayne, NE
- Student Body
- 3,010 students
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,360
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,075
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000