Wheaton College
Wheaton College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wheaton College at a Glance
Wheaton College is a private Evangelical Christian college in Wheaton, Illinois, United States. A four-year liberal arts school, it was founded by evangelical abolitionists in 1860. Wheaton College was a stop on the Underground Railroad and graduated one of Illinois' first Black college graduates. Colloquially known as the "Harvard of Evangelical Schools", it has been considered one of the leading Christian universities in the United States and an influential institution in North American evange…
1860
166 years old
$672M
$672.2 million (2025)
2,799
2,119 undergrad · 680 grad
194
80 acres
Identity
Is Wheaton College Worth It?
Wheaton College offers moderate value at $26,975/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $63,756, 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.
With a 86% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
How Wheaton College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IL
Ranked #6 of 74 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 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #6 | Wheaton College | 51 | $26,975 | $63,756 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wheaton College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in IL.
Best Programs at Wheaton College
The highest-earning program at Wheaton College is Business/Managerial Economics at $45,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $20,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business/Managerial Economics graduate from Wheaton College earns $45,000, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $20,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business/Managerial Economics graduates carry $20,750 in median debt vs. $20,927 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,975/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/Managerial Economics | $45,000 | $45,000 | $20,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,500 | $37,500 | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,000 | $36,000 | $20,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $35,700 | $35,700 | $19,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $32,500 | $32,500 | $21,000 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | $22,700 | $22,700 | $21,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,500 | $22,500 | $20,806 |
| Religious Education | $22,400 | $22,400 | $22,179 |
| Music | $21,000 | $21,000 | $21,562 |
| Psychology, General | $20,900 | $20,900 | $20,927 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wheaton, IL
- Student Body
- 2,121 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 86%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,975
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,756
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250