Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) at a Glance
Wheaton College is a private liberal arts college in Norton, Massachusetts. Wheaton was founded in 1834 as a female seminary. The trustees officially changed the name of the Wheaton Female Seminary to Wheaton College in 1912 after receiving a college charter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It remained one of the oldest institutions of higher education for women in the United States until men began to be admitted in 1988. It enrolls 1,669 undergraduate students.
1834
192 years old
$287M
$287.4 million (2025)
1,773
140
478 acres
Identity
Is Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Worth It?
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) offers moderate value at $29,822/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $67,725, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Wheaton College (Massachusetts) compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #22 of 76 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 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #6 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #22 | Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | 42 | $29,822 | $67,725 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MA.
Best Programs at Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
The highest-earning program at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is Economics at $39,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $26,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) earns $39,900, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $26,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,822/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $39,900 | $39,900 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,600 | $38,600 | $25,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $32,600 | $32,600 | $25,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $26,037 |
| Biology, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $26,399 |
| Psychology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Norton, MA
- Student Body
- 1,773 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,822
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,725
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000