Wabash College's published cost of attendance reaches $62,750 per year, including $49,125 in tuition, $13,300 for room and board, and $1,250 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $21,906 after financial aid, representing savings of $40,844 from the sticker price.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $65,144 |
| Tuition and Fees | $50,800 |
| Room and Board | $14,400 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$40,808 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $24,336 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $16,586 |
| $30–48k | $13,526 |
| $48–75k | $18,175 |
| $75–110k | $18,681 |
| $110k+ | $30,511 |
Wabash College's published cost of attendance reaches $62,750 per year, including $49,125 in tuition, $13,300 for room and board, and $1,250 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $21,906 after financial aid, representing savings of $40,844 from the sticker price. This net price falls close to the peer median of $21,812, indicating costs align with similar private liberal arts institutions.
The substantial gap between published and actual costs reflects significant financial aid distribution, though aid concentration varies by family income level. Students from different economic backgrounds experience widely different pricing structures, ranging from $15,586 for the lowest-income families to $29,968 for the highest-income tier. The financial aid savings of $40,844 represents 65% of the total cost of attendance, indicating substantial institutional investment in student affordability.
Wabash College's financial aid profile reflects patterns typical among private liberal arts institutions with limited economic diversity. With 22.5% Pell-eligible enrollment, the institution serves fewer low-income students than institutions with similar admission rates.
The average financial aid savings of $40,844 represents substantial institutional investment in affordability, though aid distribution favors middle and upper-middle income families based on the net price structure. The progressive pricing across income tiers indicates need-based aid targeting, though the relatively small Pell population suggests limited reach to the lowest-income students.
Merit-based aid likely supplements need-based support given the strong academic profile of enrolled students and competitive positioning within the liberal arts market. The combination of high sticker price and substantial aid creates a pricing model designed to maximize revenue from full-pay families while providing access for students with demonstrated financial need.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Student borrowing at Wabash College reflects the higher cost structure typical of private liberal arts education. Median student debt reaches $27,000, compared to a peer median of $25,000, placing Wabash $2,000 above comparable institutions.
Debt levels range from $14,332 at the 25th percentile to $27,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating relatively consistent borrowing patterns across the student population. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 remains within manageable ranges, meaning annual debt payments represent roughly 39% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Parent PLUS borrowing adds $25,150 in median debt with monthly payments of $331, representing additional family financial obligations. The combination of student and parent borrowing creates substantial total educational debt loads for many families.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Wabash College presents a higher-cost, higher-return educational investment compared to typical alternatives. Graduates earn $9,287 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 84.2nd percentile nationally.
Median earnings of $69,952 place Wabash at the 86th percentile, substantially above the peer median of $50,412. However, these outcomes come with median debt of $27,000 versus peer median of $25,000.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 indicates manageable debt service requirements despite higher absolute borrowing levels. The return on investment ranks at the 93rd percentile, suggesting the higher upfront costs translate into favorable long-term financial outcomes.
