Westminster College
Westminster College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Westminster College at a Glance
Westminster College is a private liberal arts college in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1852, it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The student population includes approximately 1,300 undergraduate and graduate students.
1852
174 years old
$144M
$143.7 million (2025)
1,238
300 acres
Identity
Is Westminster College Worth It?
Westminster College offers moderate value at $19,859/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,861, 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 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Westminster College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #19 of 154 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #19 | Westminster College | 44 | $19,859 | $53,861 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Westminster College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in PA.
Best Programs at Westminster College
The highest-earning program at Westminster College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $35,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Education, Other at $27,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Westminster College earns $35,200, while a Education, Other graduate earns $27,800. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Education, Other.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,859/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 | $35,200 | $35,200 | $27,000 |
| Education, Other | $27,800 | $27,800 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- New Wilmington, PA
- Student Body
- 1,041 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,859
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,861
- Median Student Debt
- $26,060