Wilmington College
Wilmington College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wilmington College at a Glance
Wilmington College is a private liberal arts college in Wilmington, Ohio, United States. It was established by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1870 and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college is still Quaker-affiliated and has seven core Quaker values. In fall 2018, the college set an enrollment record, bringing in 450 new students for the academic year, totaling 1,103 students on Wilmington's main campus and 139 students at Wilmington's two Cincinnati branches…
1870
156 years old
$75M
$75M
1,042
1,248 acres
Identity
Is Wilmington College Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Wilmington College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,491 — 10% below average — while paying $24,153/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $24,208 representing 50% 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 Wilmington College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wilmington College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #75 of 119 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #4 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #75 | Wilmington College | 25 | $24,153 | $48,491 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wilmington College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in OH.
Best Programs at Wilmington College
The highest-earning program at Wilmington College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $38,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $21,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Wilmington College earns $38,600, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $21,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $21,538 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,153/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 | $38,600 | $38,600 | $21,538 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $34,200 | $34,200 | $24,500 |
| Education, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | $25,636 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $21,700 | $21,700 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wilmington, OH
- Student Body
- 1,006 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,153
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,491
- Median Student Debt
- $24,208