Students at Wilmington College benefit from exceptionally affordable net prices and a supportive environment that helps first-generation and low-income students complete their degrees successfully.
The college's zero default rate and manageable debt levels provide financial stability, even though long-term earnings remain modest compared with larger institutions.
Wilmington College is a small private nonprofit institution in Ohio that emphasizes accessibility and personal attention, though it faces challenges in delivering strong long-term earnings outcomes. The college serves a meaningful share of first-generation students (35%) and Pell recipients (37%), reflecting its commitment to opening doors for students who might not otherwise attend college. However, graduates earn a median of $48,491 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the bottom half nationally for earnings outcomes.
What distinguishes Wilmington College is its affordability structure and intimate campus environment. Low-income students pay just $13,772 annually after aid, making it one of the more accessible private college options in Ohio. The college's small size creates opportunities for close faculty mentorship and individualized support, which helps explain why Pell students actually graduate at slightly higher rates than the overall student body.
As an "Under-Resourced Institution" in terms of mobility outcomes, Wilmington College provides meaningful access but struggles to deliver the earnings lift that transforms economic trajectories. For students prioritizing affordability, community, and personal attention over maximum financial returns, it offers a viable path to a college degree with manageable debt levels.
Wilmington College's program portfolio reflects its focus on practical, career-oriented education, though with limited scale and earning potential compared to larger institutions. Business Administration emerges as the college's flagship program, graduating 86 students annually with median earnings around $42,123, making it both the largest and highest-return program by total economic impact. This concentration in business reflects the college's understanding of student career goals and regional employment opportunities.
Accounting programs deliver the highest individual earnings at approximately $52,107, though with smaller enrollment of 24 graduates annually. This represents the college's strongest pathway to solid middle-class earnings, particularly valuable for students seeking stable, professional careers in financial services or corporate environments. The program's success suggests focused curriculum and industry connections that translate into meaningful employment outcomes.
The college's limited program diversity reflects both its small scale and resource constraints. While this creates challenges in offering the breadth found at larger institutions, it allows for concentrated investment in programs with demonstrated employment outcomes. Students benefit from small class sizes and individualized attention, though they sacrifice the extensive program options and alumni networks that drive higher earnings at larger universities.
Graduates of Wilmington College face mixed financial outcomes, with median earnings of $48,491 ten years after enrollment placing the institution below average nationally. The college's graduates earn roughly $4,800 less than what similar students achieve at comparable institutions, indicating that the earnings premium typically associated with college attendance is more modest here than at many peer schools. This earnings gap reflects both the institution's program mix and the broader economic challenges facing smaller private colleges in delivering strong return on investment.
Business Administration stands out as the college's strongest program from a financial perspective, graduating 86 students annually with median earnings around $42,123. Accounting programs show higher individual earnings at about $52,107, though with smaller enrollment numbers. These business-focused programs represent the college's most reliable pathway to solid middle-class earnings, though even these outcomes trail what students might achieve at larger universities with stronger employer networks.
The college's small scale limits both program diversity and alumni network reach, factors that typically influence long-term earning potential. While the intimate environment provides educational benefits, graduates often face steeper challenges in accessing high-paying career opportunities compared with alumni from larger institutions with more extensive industry connections and recruitment pipelines.
Wilmington College delivers strong affordability, particularly for low-income families who pay just $13,772 annually after financial aid. This net price places the college well below most private institutions and even many public universities, making it an accessible option for families with limited resources. Middle-income families face higher costs at $25,292 per year, while high-income families pay $26,658, reflecting a pricing structure that prioritizes need-based aid over merit scholarships.
Debt levels remain manageable for most students, with typical federal loan borrowing around $24,208 and Parent PLUS loans averaging $17,413. The college's 0% federal loan default rate indicates that graduates, despite modest earnings, can generally service their debt obligations successfully. This combination of affordable pricing and sustainable debt levels makes Wilmington College particularly attractive to cost-conscious families who want to minimize financial risk.
The college's loan repayment patterns show steady progress, with borrowers paying down balances at rates that exceed national averages in the early years after graduation. While earnings may be modest, the manageable debt burden means graduates can typically handle standard repayment schedules without significant financial strain, providing a foundation for long-term financial stability even if not wealth building.
Wilmington College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
