Washington & Jefferson College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Washington & Jefferson College charges a net price of $25,002/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $100,008. Graduates earn a median $67,918 ten years after entry, $19,558/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.1 years — a 20-year net return of $291,152, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Washington & Jefferson College's 5.1-year payback ranks #440 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 66% of them, and #38 of 169 in Pennsylvania.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $25,002/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $100,008 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $67,918 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $19,558/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $291,152 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Washington & Jefferson College's own numbers. Net price $25,002 × 4 years = $100,008 total. Median earnings $67,918 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $19,558 a year of premium. $100,008 ÷ $19,558 = 5.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $291,152. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Washington & Jefferson College students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $67,918 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Washington & Jefferson College students graduate?
70% finish their degree. Spread the $100,008 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $142,869 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Washington & Jefferson College expensive compared with other Pennsylvania colleges?
Its $25,002 net price runs $3,261 above the $21,741 median across the 169 Pennsylvania colleges we profile, or $13,044 more across the full degree.