Students at Roberts Wesleyan University benefit from strong long-term earnings that place the institution in the top quartile nationally, driven largely by successful nursing and health science programs.
The small campus environment provides personalized attention and career guidance that helps graduates transition effectively into professional roles.
Roberts Wesleyan University is a small private nonprofit institution in Rochester, New York, that combines the intimate atmosphere of a close-knit campus with solid career preparation in key professional fields. The university serves about 40% Pell Grant recipients and 27% first-generation students, demonstrating meaningful access for students from diverse economic backgrounds. With a 64% six-year graduation rate, Roberts Wesleyan provides the kind of supportive environment where students can build strong relationships with faculty and peers while preparing for careers in nursing, business, and other professional fields.
Graduates earn a median of $55,031 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the 77th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. This performance reflects the institution's focus on career-oriented programs, particularly in nursing and health fields, where graduates consistently find stable employment with competitive starting salaries. The university's small size allows for personalized career guidance and strong alumni networks within specific professional communities.
As a private institution with moderate net prices ranging from about $19,400 for low-income students to $26,800 for higher-income families, Roberts Wesleyan offers an alternative to large public universities for students who thrive in smaller academic communities. The combination of accessible admissions, supportive campus culture, and career-focused programming makes it a solid choice for students seeking a more personal college experience with clear pathways to professional success.
Roberts Wesleyan University's program portfolio centers on professional preparation, with nursing representing the institution's flagship offering. Adult Health Nursing graduates about 120 students annually and delivers the strongest financial returns, with median earnings of $63,005 ten years after graduation. This program combines high enrollment with solid pay, making it the economic engine of the university and reflecting the strong regional demand for healthcare professionals.
Beyond nursing, the university offers programs in business, education, and other professional fields, though these tend to have smaller enrollments and more variable outcomes. Executive and Career Coaching, for example, graduates about 40 students with median earnings around $32,925, representing a more specialized but lower-earning career path. The university's small size means that program offerings are focused rather than comprehensive, with most degrees designed to prepare students for specific professional roles rather than broad liberal arts exploration.
The concentrated program mix reflects Roberts Wesleyan's mission as a career-focused institution where students choose majors with clear employment pathways. Success at the university often depends on selecting programs like nursing that combine strong job market demand with the institution's particular strengths in professional preparation and clinical training partnerships.
Roberts Wesleyan University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with a median income of $55,031 ten years after enrollment. This places the university in the 77th percentile nationally for earnings, reflecting strong performance in career preparation and job placement. About 240 graduates earn more than $75,000 annually, demonstrating that many students reach comfortable middle-class incomes through their Roberts Wesleyan education.
The university's strongest returns come from its nursing programs, which represent the largest and most successful academic area. Adult Health Nursing graduates, who make up about 120 students annually, earn a median of $63,005 ten years out, significantly above the institutional average. This reflects both the strong demand for nursing professionals and the quality of Roberts Wesleyan's health science programs. Other career-focused programs, including business and education fields, also provide pathways to stable employment, though earnings vary by field and individual career progression.
While some graduates earn less than the institutional median—particularly those in lower-paying service fields—the university's career services and alumni networks help students transition effectively from college to professional roles. The small campus environment allows for personalized career counseling and mentorship opportunities that can be especially valuable for first-generation college students navigating early career decisions.
Roberts Wesleyan University offers moderate affordability for a private institution, with net prices that vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay about $19,371 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $21,935, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,757. These prices place the university in the 36th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning costs are somewhat higher than many public alternatives but competitive within the private college market.
The university provides meaningful financial aid that helps make attendance possible for students from diverse economic backgrounds. With nearly 40% of students receiving Pell Grants, Roberts Wesleyan demonstrates a commitment to serving students who might not otherwise afford private higher education. The aid structure appears designed to keep costs manageable for low- and middle-income families, though higher-income families face steeper net prices that reflect the full cost of the private college experience.
For families considering Roberts Wesleyan, the key affordability question is whether the benefits of small class sizes, personalized attention, and strong career services justify the premium over public alternatives. The university's solid graduation rates and career outcomes suggest that many students do successfully convert their investment into stable post-graduation employment, though families should carefully evaluate their financial capacity before committing to the full cost structure.
Roberts Wesleyan University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
