Wright State University-Main Campus
Wright State University-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Wright State University-Main Campus at a Glance
Wright State University is a public research university in Fairborn, Ohio, United States. Originally opened in 1964 as a branch campus of Miami University and Ohio State University, it became an independent institution in 1967 and was named in honor of aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright, who were residents of nearby Dayton. The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". It is a member of the …
1967
59 years old
$120M
$120.15 million (2024)
10,264
7,415 undergrad · 2,849 grad
1,139
Identity
Is Wright State University-Main Campus Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Wright State University-Main Campus is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $49,500 — 8% below average — while paying $15,415/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% 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.
With a 96% 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 Wright State University-Main Campus has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Wright State University-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #122 of 191 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #6 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #122 | Wright State University-Main Campus | 35 | $15,415 | $49,500 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Wright State University-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in OH.
Best Programs at Wright State University-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at Wright State University-Main Campus is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $61,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Wright State University-Main Campus earns $61,700, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,400. 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: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,415/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $61,700 | $61,700 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,800 | $60,800 | $22,208 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $58,500 | $58,500 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,800 | $57,800 | $25,500 |
| Computer Engineering | $56,100 | $56,100 | $25,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $47,200 | $47,200 | $26,073 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $47,000 | $47,000 | $23,301 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,000 | $45,000 | $24,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,700 | $41,700 | $21,508 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $40,800 | $40,800 | $22,899 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $39,500 | $39,500 | $21,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,100 | $38,100 | $25,083 |
| Marketing | $38,000 | $38,000 | $22,750 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $34,200 | $34,200 | $24,673 |
| Social Work | $34,000 | $34,000 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,700 | $33,700 | $30,312 |
| Criminology | $32,100 | $32,100 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,800 | $31,800 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $23,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $29,400 | $29,400 | $32,565 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,000 | $29,000 | $22,809 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,700 | $28,700 | $26,625 |
| Psychology, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $23,673 |
| Sociology | $26,200 | $26,200 | $29,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $25,400 | $25,400 | $30,350 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,700 | $22,700 | $26,534 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $22,300 | $22,300 | N/A |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $21,900 | $21,900 | $24,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $22,677 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,400 | $20,400 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Dayton, OH
- Student Body
- 6,762 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,415
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,500
- Median Student Debt
- $22,750