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Wilmington University vs Dawn Career Institute LLC: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New Castle DE · vs · Private for-profit, Newark DE

The verdict

Wilmington University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,576 in 11.4 years versus not at all at Dawn Career Institute LLC, on median earnings of $53,844 vs $30,429 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWilmington UniversityDawn Career Institute LLC
Net price / yr$15,644$14,839
Total net cost$62,576$59,356
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,844$30,429
Median debt$20,000$9,500
Payback11.4 yrs
20-year net return$47,104-$417,976

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

Which is cheaper, Wilmington University or Dawn Career Institute LLC?

Dawn Career Institute LLC, at $14,839 a year after aid versus $15,644 — a gap of $805 a year, or $3,220 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 University or Dawn Career Institute LLC graduates earn more?

Wilmington University graduates report a median $53,844 ten years after entry, $23,415 more than the $30,429 at Dawn Career Institute LLC. 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 University or Dawn Career Institute LLC?

Dawn Career Institute LLC: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Wilmington University, a difference of $10,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

82% of students finish at Dawn Career Institute LLC, against 20% at Wilmington 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.

Wilmington University vs Dawn Career Institute LLC: frequently asked questions

Is Wilmington University or Dawn Career Institute LLC a better value?
Wilmington University. It clears its $62,576 net cost in about 11.4 years versus no clear payback at Dawn Career Institute LLC, on median earnings of $53,844 vs $30,429 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wilmington University or Dawn Career Institute LLC?
Dawn Career Institute LLC: $14,839/yr net price after aid versus $15,644/yr at Wilmington University — a difference of $805 a year, or about $3,220 over four years.
Do Wilmington University or Dawn Career Institute LLC graduates earn more?
Wilmington University graduates earn a median $53,844 ten years after entry, versus $30,429 at Dawn Career Institute LLC — a $23,415 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.