Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Wagner College #543 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $17,485 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Wagner College in the 94.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Wagner College sits in the 87.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $85,313. Wagner College's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across access, mobility and return on investment. The institution's health-focused program mix supports graduates entering stable career pathways in the New York metro area.
Azimuth ranks Wagner College #543 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 63.4 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Staten Island, NY, Wagner College enrolls roughly 1,651 undergraduates. Retention is 83.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 65.1%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Wagner College draws strength from return on investment and a health-focused academic portfolio. Azimuth ranks Wagner College #71 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 95.3 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $85,313, placing Wagner College in the 87.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $17,485 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Wagner College in the 94.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The concentration in Health — a field with strong labor-market demand and stable career pathways — anchors these outcomes. Access and mobility sit lower in the composite. Wagner College sits in the 9.5 percentile for access and the 55.6 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a smaller Pell share of 23.8% and first-generation enrollment of 28.5%. For students who enroll, the institution delivers solid earnings outcomes relative to similar private institutions, making it a reasonable choice for families seeking a health-focused education with predictable financial returns.
Wagner College's published cost of attendance is $65,574. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $20,993, middle-income families pay around $24,930, and higher-income families pay approximately $32,604. Azimuth ranks Wagner College #1245 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Wagner College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for most students, helping to narrow the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $53,829; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $85,313, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Wagner College is a strong fit for students interested in health-related fields who want a private college experience in NY. With Health representing 18% of degrees, the institution offers focused academic depth in this area. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $85,313, placing Wagner College in the 87.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $17,485 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 94.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 23.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.5% are first-generation — and delivers completion outcomes that support upward mobility. Published cost of attendance is $32,604, with median federal debt at graduation of $25,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 88.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health-related fields over other disciplines. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find focused academic depth and strong outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Wagner College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Wagner College's published cost of attendance is $65,574. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $20,993, middle-income families pay around $24,930, and higher-income families pay approximately $32,604.
Azimuth ranks Wagner College #1245 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Wagner College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for most students, helping to narrow the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $53,829; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $85,313, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Wagner College earn median 4-year earnings of $85,313, placing Wagner College in the 87.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $17,485 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Wagner College in the 94.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Wagner College #71 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Wagner's program portfolio centers on Health, which aligns with the institution's mission and drives consistent outcomes across its largest majors.
Nursing is the largest program with 96 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $113,728, representing 1.3x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 58 students with median 4-year earnings of $80,927, while Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft and $39,664 round out the institution's core earning programs.
The concentration in Health reflects Wagner's curricular focus and employer relationships in the New York metropolitan region, where demand for graduates in these fields remains strong and supports the institution's overall earnings profile.
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
42 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
96 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
58 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
14 graduates
Sociology
15 graduates
Wagner College's program mix is anchored in health-related fields, reflecting the institution's mission-driven focus on preparing students for careers in healthcare and human services. Nursing is the largest program with 96 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, and Psychology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 373 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with the institution's health-sciences concentration. The earnings leaders reflect Wagner's strength in applied health and clinical pathways.
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduates earn median earnings of $156,982 four years after enrollment, while Nursing graduates earn $113,728 and Business Administration graduates earn $80,927. Sociology and Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management round out the highest-earning programs with median earnings of $67,061 and $65,373 respectively.
Among the most popular majors, Nursing graduates earn $113,728, Business Administration graduates earn $80,927, and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates earn $39,664, demonstrating consistent earnings across both high-enrollment and specialized fields. Many of Wagner's dominant programs are direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in healthcare, nursing, and clinical support roles.
The concentration in Arts (representing 18% of graduates) positions the institution within a stable, in-demand sector where employer recruitment remains strong and career advancement is tied to licensure and clinical experience. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework provides context for how Wagner's program portfolio aligns with national labor-market demand in health and human services fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fresno Pacific University Similar quality tier (#15244 ranked) | CA | 64% | $58,896 | #15244 | Compare |
The Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15260 ranked) | NY | 21% | $83,847 | #15260 | Compare |
Wentworth Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15229 ranked) | MA | 91% | $82,721 | #15229 | Compare |
Baptist Health College Little Rock Similar quality tier (#15279 ranked) | AR | 95% | $62,244 | #15279 | Compare |
Azusa Pacific University Similar quality tier (#15227 ranked) | CA | 88% | $66,677 | #15227 | Compare |
