Wofford College
Wofford College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wofford College at a Glance
Wofford College is a private liberal arts college in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1854, it is one of the few four-year institutions in the southeastern United States founded before the American Civil War that still operates on its original campus. The 175-acre (71 ha) campus is a national arboretum.
1854
172 years old
$512M
$512.1 million (2025)
1,781
140
11:1 student:faculty
175 acres
80
Prestige & value signals
Identity
How to Apply to Wofford College
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Is Wofford College Worth It?
Wofford College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $18,732/year, it's priced 8% below average, while graduates go on to earn $68,964 — 28% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 82% graduation rate means roughly 18% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: Wofford College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Wofford College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 36 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 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #3 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #4 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #5 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #6 | Rhodes College | 48 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Wofford College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in SC.
Best Programs at Wofford College
The highest-earning program at Wofford College is Finance and Financial Management Services at $47,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $25,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from Wofford College earns $47,600, while a Biology, General graduate earns $25,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Finance and Financial Management Services graduates carry $21,250 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,732/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,600 | $47,600 | $21,250 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $33,000 | $33,000 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,600 | $25,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Spartanburg, SC
- Student Body
- 1,816 students
- Admission Rate
- 52%
- Graduation Rate
- 82%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,732
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,964
- Median Student Debt
- $25,732