College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
Back to Colleges

Wright State University-Main Campus

Dayton, OH 6,762 Undergrads 49.4% Grad Rate
Share
Total Cost
$24,829
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$13,715
After Aid
Median Earnings
$60,467
5yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$13,715
Peer Midpoint: $19,969
Earnings (5yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$60,467
Peer Midpoint: $61,632
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$53,497
Peer Midpoint: $58,891
Graduation Rate49.4%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Warning: The majority of students at this institution do not graduate. Non-completers typically earn significantly less and face higher debt risks.
Average starting age (2015-17)21.9
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients40.2%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time85.1%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS69.7%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance
96.3%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$533k
+$63k
+$46k
Median Cost$14k/yr
+$483k
+$13k
-$3k
Full Cost$25k/yr
+$443k
-$27k
-$43k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
39
∞
Median Cost$14k/yr
Never
-6%
Full Cost$25k/yr
Never
-48%
Analysis Assumptions:
  • Starting Salary: Estimated from the median earnings five years after graduating, with four years of 2% raises taken out.⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
  • Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
  • Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
  • NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return10%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return-49%

Program ROI Analysis

These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →

Certificates

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
CertCIP: 5010
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,974
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $47,440
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$90,197
Natl Median: $52,615
Lifetime Value Added
+$483k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $36,116
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,705
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Gerontology
CertCIP: 3011
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,636
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,907
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,975
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sociology
CertCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,205
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,689
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Associate's Degrees

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,927
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
AssocCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,597
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,243
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
AssocCIP: 1500

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$62,724
Natl Median: $62,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$135k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$24,936
Natl Median: $56,556
Lifetime Value Added
-$221k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,491
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
AssocCIP: 4407
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $39,409
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Bachelor's Degrees

Median Debt
$15,000
Earnings (4yr)
$73,024
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
+$105k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$56,074
Natl Median: $70,786
Lifetime Value Added
-$29k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,044
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,676
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,466
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$23,250
Earnings (4yr)
$62,925
Natl Median: $57,214
Lifetime Value Added
+$26k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$77,864
Natl Median: $93,451
Lifetime Value Added
+$142k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
$20,510
Earnings (4yr)
$60,039
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$3k
Business/Commerce, General
BachCIP: 5201

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
$20,250
Earnings (4yr)
$58,039
Natl Median: $68,407
Lifetime Value Added
-$13k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $77,981
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,165
Natl Median: $65,120
Lifetime Value Added
-$37k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,429
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$53,358
Natl Median: $75,975
Lifetime Value Added
-$34k
Median Debt
$23,333
Earnings (4yr)
$40,908
Natl Median: $56,359
Lifetime Value Added
-$158k
Median Debt
$21,110
Earnings (4yr)
$92,006
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$250k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$97,659
Natl Median: $109,015
Lifetime Value Added
+$293k
Criminology
BachCIP: 4504

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
$23,751
Earnings (4yr)
$46,939
Natl Median: $55,556
Lifetime Value Added
-$106k
Dance
BachCIP: 5003
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$18,507
Natl Median: $39,980
Lifetime Value Added
-$348k
Median Debt
$22,250
Earnings (4yr)
$35,148
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
-$208k
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,686
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$89,391
Natl Median: $100,647
Lifetime Value Added
+$230k
Engineering Science
BachCIP: 1413
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $93,782
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
$41,987
Natl Median: $48,590
Lifetime Value Added
-$149k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,027
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$26,000
Earnings (4yr)
$34,673
Natl Median: $43,765
Lifetime Value Added
-$212k
Median Debt
$16,987
Earnings (4yr)
$71,696
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$95k
Median Debt
$27,855
Earnings (4yr)
$34,704
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$212k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,853
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,824
Natl Median: $60,190
Lifetime Value Added
-$73k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,459
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$44,397
Natl Median: $50,680
Lifetime Value Added
-$128k
Median Debt
$23,316
Earnings (4yr)
$65,293
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
+$45k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,907
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,201
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
International/Globalization Studies
BachCIP: 3020
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$56,668
Natl Median: $59,972
Lifetime Value Added
-$25k
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$16,375
Earnings (4yr)
$64,589
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
+$40k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $91,449
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$59,848
Natl Median: $69,562
Lifetime Value Added
+$2k
Mechanical Engineering
BachCIP: 1419

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
$17,250
Earnings (4yr)
$82,795
Natl Median: $92,135
Lifetime Value Added
+$180k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,119
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
BachCIP: 3099

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$42,817
Natl Median: $55,693
Lifetime Value Added
-$141k
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$43,884
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
-$132k
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,455
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physical Sciences, General
BachCIP: 4001
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $68,944
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
BachCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $76,786
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$56,423
Natl Median: $63,293
Lifetime Value Added
-$27k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
$20,834
Earnings (4yr)
$46,507
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$110k
Public Health
BachCIP: 5122
Median Debt
$25,000
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,808
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
$22,000
Earnings (4yr)
$77,289
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$138k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$47,355
Natl Median: $55,792
Lifetime Value Added
-$103k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,390
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,582
Natl Median: $55,000
Lifetime Value Added
-$92k
Social Work
BachCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$19,655
Earnings (4yr)
$47,235
Natl Median: $51,790
Lifetime Value Added
-$104k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$44,227
Natl Median: $52,657
Lifetime Value Added
-$129k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
BachCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$23,000
Earnings (4yr)
$51,433
Natl Median: $54,562
Lifetime Value Added
-$68k
Statistics
BachCIP: 2705
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,425
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
BachCIP: 1312

Earnings shared by 2 Wright State University campuses, which report as one program.

Median Debt
$21,234
Earnings (4yr)
$42,970
Natl Median: $47,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$140k
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (4yr)
$48,724
Natl Median: $51,389
Lifetime Value Added
-$91k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,532
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,231
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $105,177
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,593
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $146,711
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Health
PB-CertCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $78,697
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,260
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Master's Degrees

Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$55,512
Natl Median: $95,833
Lifetime Value Added
-$159k
Applied Mathematics
MastCIP: 2703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $116,060
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $80,271
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology, General
MastCIP: 2601
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,830
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$62,012
Natl Median: $106,375
Lifetime Value Added
-$96k
Median Debt
$43,203
Earnings (4yr)
$96,625
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$186k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $76,837
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Chemistry
MastCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,937
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$63,166
Natl Median: $65,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$109k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$118,003
Natl Median: $124,201
Lifetime Value Added
+$353k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $136,736
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $121,855
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$61,515
Natl Median: $66,714
Lifetime Value Added
-$135k
Economics
MastCIP: 4506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$65,238
Natl Median: $100,743
Lifetime Value Added
-$66k
Education, Other
MastCIP: 1399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$36,745
Natl Median: $65,348
Lifetime Value Added
-$349k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,806
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$94k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,644
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$107,832
Natl Median: $133,654
Lifetime Value Added
+$284k
Engineering Science
MastCIP: 1413
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$108,035
Natl Median: $123,681
Lifetime Value Added
+$286k
Engineering, Other
MastCIP: 1499
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $129,974
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$33,700
Natl Median: $55,512
Lifetime Value Added
-$401k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$65,149
Natl Median: $79,463
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
History
MastCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,916
Natl Median: $55,360
Lifetime Value Added
-$244k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$43,798
Natl Median: $95,627
Lifetime Value Added
-$277k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$110,235
Natl Median: $106,092
Lifetime Value Added
+$305k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $112,282
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mathematics
MastCIP: 2701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $72,654
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$100,393
Natl Median: $115,974
Lifetime Value Added
+$219k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $198,417
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $84,750
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,520
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
MastCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$25,194
Natl Median: $48,285
Lifetime Value Added
-$470k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $92,305
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Physics
MastCIP: 4008
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $96,478
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,681
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$76,622
Natl Median: $81,408
Lifetime Value Added
+$11k
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$73,541
Natl Median: $82,751
Lifetime Value Added
-$16k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$128,321
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$462k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,416
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Social Work
MastCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$39,099
Earnings (4yr)
$58,382
Natl Median: $65,123
Lifetime Value Added
-$153k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,431
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
-$229k
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
MastCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,033
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Statistics
MastCIP: 2705
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $123,816
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$44,244
Natl Median: $60,111
Lifetime Value Added
-$290k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,735
Natl Median: $59,916
Lifetime Value Added
-$246k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$58,632
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
-$151k

Graduate Certificates

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $94,506
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,509
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $101,517
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $95,414
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,510
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $99,117
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
History
Gr-CertCIP: 5401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,756
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Health
Gr-CertCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $88,684
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$56,721
Natl Median: $126,911
Lifetime Value Added
-$107k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,611
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Gr-CertCIP: 3105
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,916
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,178
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Doctoral Degrees

Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $99,653
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $113,566
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$177,130
Earnings (4yr)
$113,593
Natl Median: $99,878
Lifetime Value Added
+$146k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $167,302
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $157,305
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $133,630
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Medicine
DocCIP: 5112
Median Debt
$243,331
Earnings (4yr)
$106,384
Natl Median: $118,504
Lifetime Value Added
+$93k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $87,076
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. Note that the institution's average undergraduate net price is used as a proxy for annual cost, which may differ from actual graduate tuition. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.