Wheeling University
Wheeling University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wheeling University at a Glance
Wheeling University is a private Catholic university in Wheeling, West Virginia, United States. It was founded as "Wheeling College" in 1954 by the Society of Jesus and was a Jesuit institution until 2019. Wheeling University competes in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a member of the Mountain East Conference.
Is Wheeling University Worth It?
At a value score of 19/100, Wheeling University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $57,949 — 8% above average — while paying $20,503/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 27% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Wheeling University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wheeling University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #50 of 68 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 | Wabash College | 55 | $24,336 | $69,952 |
| #2 | The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 54 | $18,378 | $68,303 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Bryan College of Health Sciences | 48 | $26,919 | $70,845 |
| #5 | Wesleyan College | 43 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| #6 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #50 | Wheeling University | 19 | $20,503 | $57,949 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wheeling University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in WV.
Best Programs at Wheeling University
The highest-earning program at Wheeling University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $29,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Wheeling University earns $59,200, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $29,500. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,503/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,200 | $59,200 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $29,500 | $29,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in WV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wheeling, WV
- Student Body
- 589 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,503
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,949
- Median Student Debt
- $25,125