William Peace University offers the intimate, supportive environment of a small private college where students receive personalized attention and build close relationships with faculty.
While earnings outcomes are modest, the university provides meaningful access to higher education for first-generation and low-income students in North Carolina's capital region.
William Peace University is a small private nonprofit institution in Raleigh, North Carolina, that serves students seeking an intimate college experience with personalized attention. While the university provides access to higher education for a diverse student body—with about 35% receiving Pell Grants and nearly 30% being first-generation college students—its outcomes place it in the "Under-Resourced Institutions" category for economic mobility.
Graduates earn a median of $46,643 ten years after enrollment, which falls in the lower third nationally among similar institutions. The university's earnings performance is particularly challenging for low-income students, who earn about $33,100 at the ten-year mark, well below what similar students achieve at other colleges. With a six-year graduation rate of 44%, William Peace faces retention challenges that affect long-term student success.
As a small private college, William Peace offers the close-knit community and individualized support that many students value. However, families should carefully weigh these benefits against the financial outcomes, particularly given the debt levels typical graduates carry and the earnings they can expect after graduation.
William Peace University's academic profile centers on two main areas: business and psychology. Business Administration represents the university's strongest program both in terms of enrollment and financial outcomes, graduating 41 students annually who earn about $41,789 ten years after graduation. While these earnings trail national averages for business majors, they represent the best return on investment available at the institution.
Psychology, the second-largest program with 22 graduates, leads to more modest earnings of around $26,187 in early career. This reflects the field's typical trajectory, where many graduates pursue additional education or enter helping professions with lower starting salaries. The concentration in these two fields means most William Peace students are channeled into either business-related careers or human services roles.
As a small institution, William Peace graduates relatively few students each year, which limits alumni network effects and employer recruitment compared to larger universities. The focused program portfolio means students have fewer options if they want to change majors, but it also allows for more specialized attention within the available fields of study.
William Peace University graduates face modest long-term earnings compared with peers at similar institutions. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $46,643, placing the university in the lower third nationally for earnings outcomes. The university's "earnings beyond expectations" performance shows graduates earning about $9,667 less than what similar students achieve at other institutions, indicating that the investment may not yield the financial returns seen elsewhere.
The university's program mix centers heavily on business and psychology. Business Administration graduates, representing the largest cohort with 41 students, earn about $41,789 ten years out and generate the highest aggregate return for the institution. Psychology majors, the second-largest group with 22 graduates, see more modest earnings of around $26,187 in early career. These two programs dominate the university's academic profile, but both show earnings that trail national averages for their respective fields.
While William Peace provides a supportive environment for academic growth, the financial outcomes suggest graduates may face challenges building wealth over time. The combination of below-average earnings and significant debt loads means students should carefully consider their career goals and financial expectations when evaluating this institution.
William Peace University's affordability varies significantly by family income, with low-income students facing relatively manageable costs while higher-income families encounter substantial expenses. Low-income students pay about $15,206 annually after aid, which is reasonable for a private institution, while middle-income families see costs rise to around $22,005 per year. High-income families face the steepest burden at nearly $33,000 annually, reflecting limited aid availability at higher income levels.
Debt levels present a more concerning picture for long-term affordability. Typical graduates leave with about $22,250 in federal student loans, and many families also take on Parent PLUS debt averaging $27,951. Combined, these debt loads create significant repayment obligations that may strain graduates given their modest post-graduation earnings. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, but this metric doesn't capture the full picture of repayment challenges graduates may face.
The gap between what families pay and what graduates earn creates affordability pressure that extends well beyond college. While the sticker price reflects the costs of a small private institution, the return on investment raises questions about long-term financial sustainability for many students and families.
William Peace University Hub Overview
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