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Wingate University vs Meredith College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Wingate NC · vs · Private nonprofit, Raleigh NC

The verdict

Wingate University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,992 in 19.3 years versus 28.3 years at Meredith College, on median earnings of $52,649 vs $51,539 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWingate UniversityMeredith College
Net price / yr$20,748$22,488
Total net cost$82,992$89,952
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,649$51,539
Median debt$25,000$25,000
Payback19.3 yrs28.3 yrs
20-year net return$2,788-$26,372

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

Which is cheaper, Wingate University or Meredith College?

Wingate University, at $20,748 a year after aid versus $22,488 — a gap of $1,740 a year, or $6,960 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wingate University or Meredith College graduates earn more?

Wingate University graduates report a median $52,649 ten years after entry, $1,110 more than the $51,539 at Meredith College. 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, Wingate University or Meredith College?

Completers at both borrow a median $25,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Meredith College, against 46% at Wingate 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.

Wingate University vs Meredith College: frequently asked questions

Is Wingate University or Meredith College a better value?
Wingate University. It clears its $82,992 net cost in about 19.3 years versus 28.3 years at Meredith College, on median earnings of $52,649 vs $51,539 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wingate University or Meredith College?
Wingate University: $20,748/yr net price after aid versus $22,488/yr at Meredith College — a difference of $1,740 a year, or about $6,960 over four years.
Do Wingate University or Meredith College graduates earn more?
Wingate University graduates earn a median $52,649 ten years after entry, versus $51,539 at Meredith College — a $1,110 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.