Wingate University
Wingate University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wingate University at a Glance
Wingate University is a private university with campuses in Wingate and Hendersonville, North Carolina, United States. The university enrolls more than 3,450 students and offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as 7 master's and 5 doctoral degrees. Academic programs are housed in the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport…
1896
130 years old
$138M
$138 million
3,457
2,673 undergrad · 784 grad
177
Identity
Is Wingate University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Wingate University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,649 — 2% below average — while paying $20,748/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% 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 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Wingate University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wingate University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #62 of 112 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 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #62 | Wingate University | 30 | $20,748 | $52,649 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wingate University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in NC.
Best Programs at Wingate University
The highest-earning program at Wingate University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $51,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Services, General at $26,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Wingate University earns $51,400, while a Human Services, General graduate earns $26,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,748/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 | $51,400 | $51,400 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,300 | $37,300 | $26,949 |
| Biology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,750 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $29,500 | $29,500 | $21,513 |
| Psychology, General | $28,400 | $28,400 | $26,500 |
| Human Services, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $24,870 |
Similar Colleges in NC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Wingate, NC
- Student Body
- 2,668 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,748
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,649
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000