Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Wright State University-Lake Campus vs Bluffton University: which has better ROI?

Public, Celina OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Bluffton OH

The verdict

Wright State University-Lake Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $44,324 in 38.9 years versus 67.2 years at Bluffton University, on median earnings of $49,500 vs $49,547 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureWright State University-Lake CampusBluffton University
Net price / yr$11,081$19,943
Total net cost$44,324$79,772
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,500$49,547
Median debt$22,750$27,000
Payback38.9 yrs67.2 yrs
20-year net return-$21,524-$56,032

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

Which is cheaper, Wright State University-Lake Campus or Bluffton University?

Wright State University-Lake Campus, at $11,081 a year after aid versus $19,943 — a gap of $8,862 a year, or $35,448 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wright State University-Lake Campus or Bluffton University graduates earn more?

Bluffton University graduates report a median $49,547 ten years after entry, $47 more than the $49,500 at Wright State University-Lake Campus. 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, Wright State University-Lake Campus or Bluffton University?

Wright State University-Lake Campus: its completers carry a median $22,750 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Bluffton University, a difference of $4,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at Bluffton University, against 41% at Wright State University-Lake Campus. 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.

Wright State University-Lake Campus vs Bluffton University: frequently asked questions

Is Wright State University-Lake Campus or Bluffton University a better value?
Wright State University-Lake Campus. It clears its $44,324 net cost in about 38.9 years versus 67.2 years at Bluffton University, on median earnings of $49,500 vs $49,547 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wright State University-Lake Campus or Bluffton University?
Wright State University-Lake Campus: $11,081/yr net price after aid versus $19,943/yr at Bluffton University — a difference of $8,862 a year, or about $35,448 over four years.
Do Wright State University-Lake Campus or Bluffton University graduates earn more?
Bluffton University graduates earn a median $49,547 ten years after entry, versus $49,500 at Wright State University-Lake Campus — a $47 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.