Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Washington Adventist University #668 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,156 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 83.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Washington Adventist University #301 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Washington Adventist University #668 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Takoma Park, MD, Washington Adventist University enrolls roughly 452 undergraduates. Retention is 64.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 28.6%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where Washington Adventist University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Washington Adventist University #301 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,156 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Washington Adventist University in the 83.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's concentration in Health fields — which represent a substantial share of degrees — aligns with strong labor-market demand and contributes to the solid long-term financial outcomes that anchor the composite ranking. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Washington Adventist University sits in the 49.2 percentile for access and the 35.0 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private nonprofit institution, Washington Adventist University carries a higher sticker price than public alternatives, though need-based aid reshapes the actual cost for families that qualify. The institution enrolls 37.2% Pell-eligible students and 35.2% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a meaningful commitment to access despite the affordability headwinds that characterize the private nonprofit sector.
Washington Adventist University's published cost of attendance is $34,309. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $17,534; middle-income families pay around $19,311; higher-income families pay approximately $21,480. Azimuth ranks Washington Adventist University #927 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. Washington Adventist University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The institution's aid structure supports access across income levels, with institutional scholarships available to qualifying students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $30,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,093; 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 $74,717, median federal debt of $30,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $345 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Washington Adventist University is a strong fit for students interested in Health fields who want a private university experience in MD. The university's program mix leans heavily toward health-oriented disciplines, with 10% of graduates concentrated in this field. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $74,717, placing Washington Adventist University in the 74.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $8,156 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 83.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 37.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 35.2% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $21,480, and median federal student loan debt at graduation is $30,500. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 46.2% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields over others. Students whose interests align with those areas will find strong outcomes relative to MD's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $35,051.
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
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Washington Adventist University 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.
Washington Adventist University's published cost of attendance is $34,309. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels.
Low-income families pay approximately $17,534; middle-income families pay around $19,311; higher-income families pay approximately $21,480. Azimuth ranks Washington Adventist University #927 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. Washington Adventist University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The institution's aid structure supports access across income levels, with institutional scholarships available to qualifying students.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $30,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,093; 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 $74,717, median federal debt of $30,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $345 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 Washington Adventist University earn median 4-year earnings of $74,717, placing Washington Adventist University in the 74.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,156 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Washington Adventist University in the 83.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Washington Adventist University #301 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on health and allied health fields, which align with Washington Adventist University's dominant program family.
Nursing is the largest program with 65 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $94,173, representing 1.1× the national benchmark for the field. Business Administration and General Studies follow as significant enrollment drivers, with Clinical, Counseling and Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology and Biology, General rounding out the core program portfolio.
This concentration in health-related disciplines supports stable career pathways and consistent post-graduation earnings aligned with regional healthcare demand.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
65 graduates
Washington Adventist University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied sciences — a portfolio shaped by the institution's mission-driven identity and regional healthcare demand. Nursing is the largest program with 65 graduates, followed by Business Administration, General Studies, Clinical, Counseling and Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology, and Biology, General.
The Health family accounts for Business of degrees, with Education and Arts providing complementary breadth across 9 total programs. The institution's earnings profile reflects strength in applied health and clinical pathways.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $94,173, positioning this cohort of 65 graduates as the institution's highest-earning program. This concentration in health professions — including nursing, allied health, and clinical support fields — aligns with strong regional labor-market demand in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and reflects Washington Adventist University's positioning as a health-professions-focused private institution.
The program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter healthcare and clinical roles immediately after completion. This structure supports consistent early-career earnings and stable employment in fields with sustained hiring demand.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Washington Adventist University's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market trends in healthcare and allied professions.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Notre Dame Of Maryland University Higher acceptance rate (41.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 32 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MD | 86% | $65,344 | Compare |
Stevenson University Higher acceptance rate (37.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 33 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MD | 83% | $62,079 | Compare |
Marymount University Higher acceptance rate (35.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 9 miles away; similar graduate earnings | VA | 81% | $67,516 | Compare |
Bellarmine University Higher acceptance rate (48.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | KY | 94% | $62,069 | Compare |
Misericordia University Higher acceptance rate (39.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 85% | $64,313 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laboure College Of Healthcare Similar quality tier (#16946 ranked) | MA | 50% | $62,200 | #16946 | Compare |
University Of Saint Joseph Similar quality tier (#16942 ranked) | CT | 79% | $59,908 | #16942 | Compare |
Thomas University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#17473 ranked) | GA | 38% | $49,716 | #17473 | Compare |
Upmc Jameson School Of Nursing Similar quality tier (#17990 ranked) | PA | 100% | $70,472 | #17990 | Compare |
Marian University-Ancilla Similar quality tier (#18005 ranked) | IN | 92% | $58,759 | #18005 | Compare |
