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Wilmington College vs Heidelberg University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Wilmington OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Tiffin OH

The verdict

Wilmington College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $96,612 in 737.5 years versus 775.7 years at Heidelberg University, on median earnings of $48,491 vs $48,466 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWilmington CollegeHeidelberg University
Net price / yr$24,153$20,556
Total net cost$96,612$82,224
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,491$48,466
Median debt$24,208$27,000
Payback737.5 yrs775.7 yrs
20-year net return-$93,992-$80,104

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

Which is cheaper, Wilmington College or Heidelberg University?

Heidelberg University, at $20,556 a year after aid versus $24,153 — a gap of $3,597 a year, or $14,388 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wilmington College or Heidelberg University graduates earn more?

Wilmington College graduates report a median $48,491 ten years after entry, $25 more than the $48,466 at Heidelberg 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, Wilmington College or Heidelberg University?

Wilmington College: its completers carry a median $24,208 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Heidelberg University, a difference of $2,792. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

52% of students finish at Heidelberg University, against 47% at Wilmington College. 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.

Wilmington College vs Heidelberg University: frequently asked questions

Is Wilmington College or Heidelberg University a better value?
Wilmington College. It clears its $96,612 net cost in about 737.5 years versus 775.7 years at Heidelberg University, on median earnings of $48,491 vs $48,466 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wilmington College or Heidelberg University?
Heidelberg University: $20,556/yr net price after aid versus $24,153/yr at Wilmington College — a difference of $3,597 a year, or about $14,388 over four years.
Do Wilmington College or Heidelberg University graduates earn more?
Wilmington College graduates earn a median $48,491 ten years after entry, versus $48,466 at Heidelberg University — a $25 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.