Wilmington College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Wilmington College charges a net price of $24,153/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $96,612. Graduates earn a median $48,491 ten years after entry, $131/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 737.5 years — a 20-year net return of -$93,992, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Wilmington College's 737.5-year payback ranks #1,272 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 1% of them, and #66 of 144 in Ohio.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $24,153/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $96,612 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,491 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $131/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,208 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 737.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$93,992 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Wilmington College's own numbers. Net price $24,153 × 4 years = $96,612 total. Median earnings $48,491 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $131 a year of premium. $96,612 ÷ $131 = 737.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$93,992. 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 Wilmington College students graduate with?
A median $24,208 in federal loans among completers, or 50% of the $48,491 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Wilmington College students graduate?
47% finish their degree — 53% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $96,612 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $205,557 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Wilmington College expensive compared with other Ohio colleges?
Its $24,153 net price runs $4,371 above the $19,783 median across the 144 Ohio colleges we profile, or $17,482 more across the full degree.