Westminster College
Westminster College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Westminster College at a Glance
Westminster College is a private liberal arts college in Fulton, Missouri, United States. It was established in 1851 as Fulton College. The school enrolled 609 students in 2020. America's National Churchill Museum is a historic site located on campus.
1851
175 years old
$57M
$57.1 million (2021)
609
88
86 acres
Identity
Is Westminster College Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Westminster College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,199 — 3% below average — while paying $24,314/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.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 52% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Westminster College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Westminster College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MO
Ranked #41 of 99 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #41 | Westminster College | 30 | $24,314 | $52,199 |
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%). 3 in MO.
Best Programs at Westminster College
The highest-earning program at Westminster College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $42,000/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Westminster College earns $42,000, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $42,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $25,500 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,314/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 | $42,000 | $42,000 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Fulton, MO
- Student Body
- 638 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,314
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,199
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000