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Cedarville University vs Ohio Wesleyan University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Cedarville OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Delaware OH

The verdict

Ohio Wesleyan University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,588 in 11.5 years versus 13.8 years at Cedarville University, on median earnings of $55,624 vs $55,443 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCedarville UniversityOhio Wesleyan University
Net price / yr$24,468$20,897
Total net cost$97,872$83,588
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,443$55,624
Median debt$20,937$27,000
Payback13.8 yrs11.5 yrs
20-year net return$43,788$61,692

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Cedarville University or Ohio Wesleyan University?

Ohio Wesleyan University, at $20,897 a year after aid versus $24,468 — a gap of $3,571 a year, or $14,284 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Cedarville University or Ohio Wesleyan University graduates earn more?

Ohio Wesleyan University graduates report a median $55,624 ten years after entry, $181 more than the $55,443 at Cedarville University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Cedarville University or Ohio Wesleyan University?

Cedarville University: its completers carry a median $20,937 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Ohio Wesleyan University, a difference of $6,063. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

73% of students finish at Cedarville University, against 59% at Ohio Wesleyan University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Cedarville University vs Ohio Wesleyan University: frequently asked questions

Is Cedarville University or Ohio Wesleyan University a better value?
Ohio Wesleyan University. It clears its $83,588 net cost in about 11.5 years versus 13.8 years at Cedarville University, on median earnings of $55,624 vs $55,443 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Cedarville University or Ohio Wesleyan University?
Ohio Wesleyan University: $20,897/yr net price after aid versus $24,468/yr at Cedarville University — a difference of $3,571 a year, or about $14,284 over four years.
Do Cedarville University or Ohio Wesleyan University graduates earn more?
Ohio Wesleyan University graduates earn a median $55,624 ten years after entry, versus $55,443 at Cedarville University — a $181 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.