Wright State University-Lake Campus
Wright State University-Lake Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wright State University-Lake Campus at a Glance
Wright State University–Lake Campus is a branch campus of Wright State University located in Jefferson Township, between Celina, and St. Marys, Ohio. The 211 acres (85 ha) campus sits on the northern shore of Grand Lake St. Marys at 7600 Lake Campus Drive. Founded in 1962 by the Western Ohio Educational Foundation, an organization created to support higher education in the Mercer and Auglaize counties of Ohio, the school was affiliated with Ohio Northern University before it became a branch camp…
1962
64 years old
1,205
68
211 acres
Identity
Is Wright State University-Lake Campus Worth It?
Wright State University-Lake Campus offers moderate value at $11,081/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,500, which is 8% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Wright State University-Lake Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #17 of 58 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #3 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 90 | $8,837 | $50,919 |
| #4 | Grays Harbor College | 75 | $4,783 | $40,865 |
| #5 | North Central State College | 71 | $4,687 | $38,158 |
| #6 | University of Maine at Fort Kent | 68 | $7,482 | $51,077 |
| #17 | Wright State University-Lake Campus | 47 | $11,081 | $49,500 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Wright State University-Lake Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in OH.
Best Programs at Wright State University-Lake Campus
The highest-earning program at Wright State University-Lake Campus is Mechanical Engineering at $60,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $21,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Wright State University-Lake Campus earns $60,800, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $21,600. 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: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $22,208 in median debt vs. $22,677 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,081/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,800 | $60,800 | $22,208 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,800 | $57,800 | $25,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $40,800 | $40,800 | $22,899 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,100 | $38,100 | $25,083 |
| Criminology | $32,100 | $32,100 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,700 | $28,700 | $26,625 |
| Psychology, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $23,673 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $22,677 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Celina, OH
- Student Body
- 892 students
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,081
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,500
- Median Student Debt
- $22,750