Students at The College of Wooster who come from low-income backgrounds achieve earnings that place the college among the top quarter of institutions nationwide for economic mobility.
Graduates across income levels see solid long-term financial outcomes supported by strong completion rates and the benefits of a close-knit liberal arts education.
The College of Wooster is a small private liberal arts college in Ohio that combines selectivity with strong academic outcomes. As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Wooster maintains relatively limited access for low-income students but delivers solid earnings for those who attend. Graduates earn a median of $59,629 ten years after enrollment, placing the college in the 68th percentile nationally for long-term earnings outcomes.
What distinguishes Wooster is its focus on intensive undergraduate education in a small-college setting. With only about 20% of students receiving Pell Grants and 14% being first-generation college students, the institution serves a more affluent student body typical of selective liberal arts colleges. However, completion rates are strong across income levels, with Pell recipients actually graduating at higher rates than the overall student body.
The college's academic programs span traditional liberal arts disciplines, with particular strength in mathematics, political science, and interdisciplinary studies. While net prices are substantial—especially for middle and higher-income families—the investment typically pays off through solid career outcomes and the benefits of a tight-knit alumni network characteristic of small liberal arts institutions.
The College of Wooster's academic programs reflect its liberal arts mission, with particular strength in mathematics, political science, and interdisciplinary studies. Mathematics stands out as both academically rigorous and financially rewarding, with 30 graduates achieving solid early-career earnings around $36,674. This program exemplifies Wooster's ability to prepare students for quantitative careers in finance, technology, and research while maintaining the analytical and communication skills central to liberal arts education.
Political science represents the college's largest program with 36 graduates, producing alumni who earn about $30,409 in early-career roles. While these earnings may appear modest initially, political science graduates often pursue careers in government, nonprofit organizations, law, and public service where advancement potential and job satisfaction often outweigh starting salary considerations. The program's size reflects Wooster's strength in preparing students for civic engagement and public leadership roles.
What distinguishes Wooster's program portfolio is its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and independent study, culminating in the college's signature Independent Study requirement. This approach develops critical thinking, research, and communication skills that serve graduates well across diverse career paths, even if the immediate financial returns don't always match those of more pre-professional programs. The college's small size ensures that students in all majors receive personalized attention and mentorship that often proves invaluable for long-term career development.
Graduates of The College of Wooster achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect the value of a liberal arts education. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $59,629, placing the college in the 68th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. While this represents strong performance overall, graduates earn somewhat less than statistical models would predict based on student characteristics, which is common among liberal arts institutions where career paths often prioritize fulfillment and social impact alongside financial returns.
The college's program mix reflects its liberal arts mission, with standout performance in mathematics and political science. Mathematics graduates, representing one of the college's strongest programs with 30 graduates, achieve particularly solid outcomes with median earnings around $36,674 early in their careers. Political science, the college's largest program with 36 graduates, produces graduates earning about $30,409 in early career roles, often in government, nonprofit, and public service sectors that provide meaningful work and steady advancement potential.
What makes Wooster's return proposition compelling is the long-term trajectory and network effects typical of selective liberal arts colleges. While early-career earnings may appear modest compared to pre-professional programs, graduates often see substantial growth over time as they advance into leadership roles across diverse fields. The college's small size and close alumni connections create opportunities for mentorship and career advancement that extend well beyond the immediate post-graduation period.
Affordability at The College of Wooster reflects the typical pricing structure of a selective private liberal arts college, with substantial net prices across all income levels. Low-income students pay about $15,018 annually after aid, which represents significant financial aid but still requires meaningful family contribution or borrowing. Middle-income families face net prices around $23,052 per year, while higher-income families pay approximately $32,701 annually—costs that place Wooster in the 28th percentile nationally for affordability.
The college's aid strategy focuses on making attendance possible for admitted students rather than maximizing affordability across all income levels. With nearly 20% of students receiving Pell Grants despite the substantial net prices, Wooster demonstrates commitment to economic diversity within the constraints of its private liberal arts model. The financial aid office works to structure packages that combine grants, work-study, and reasonable borrowing levels to make attendance feasible for families across the income spectrum.
For families considering Wooster, the affordability calculation extends beyond sticker price to include the long-term value proposition of a liberal arts education. While upfront costs are significant, graduates typically achieve stable career outcomes and benefit from the extensive alumni networks and personalized attention that justify the investment for many families who prioritize educational quality and fit over pure affordability metrics.
The College Of Wooster Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
