Students at Woodbury University achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations, with graduates earning about $21,000 more than similar students at other institutions.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong outcomes for low-income students, reflects the university's effective career preparation in specialized fields.
Woodbury University is a small private nonprofit institution in Burbank, California, serving students who want specialized career preparation in creative and business fields. With nearly half of students receiving Pell Grants and over 40% being first-generation college students, Woodbury maintains strong access while delivering above-average earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $65,668 ten years after enrollment, placing the university well above typical institutions for long-term financial returns.
What makes Woodbury distinctive is its focus on hands-on, career-oriented programs in fields like business administration, commercial photography, and film production. The university's location in Burbank provides direct access to Los Angeles's entertainment industry and business networks, which helps explain why graduates achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations compared with similar students at other institutions.
As a designated "Mobility Engine," Woodbury combines broad access with strong upward mobility outcomes. The university successfully serves low-income and first-generation students while maintaining graduation rates and earnings that support long-term financial success. For students seeking specialized training in creative or business fields with personalized attention, Woodbury offers a focused educational experience that translates into solid career outcomes.
Woodbury University's program portfolio reflects its focus on career-oriented education in business and creative fields. Business Administration stands out as the highest aggregate return program, with 21 graduates earning around $52,107 ten years out, benefiting from strong connections to Los Angeles's diverse business community. The program's solid enrollment and strong earnings make it a key economic driver for the university.
Creative programs dominate the university's largest offerings, with Commercial Photography enrolling 26 students and Cinematography and Film Production serving 25 students. While early-career earnings in these fields start lower—around $33,993 for photography and $25,774 for film—graduates benefit from Burbank's proximity to major entertainment companies and media organizations. These creative fields often see earnings growth over time as professionals build portfolios, client bases, and industry reputations.
The university's specialized focus means students receive intensive, hands-on training in their chosen fields rather than broad liberal arts education. This approach works particularly well for students who know their career direction and want practical skills, industry connections, and portfolio development that translate directly into workforce readiness in competitive creative and business markets.
Graduates of Woodbury University achieve strong long-term earnings that reflect the institution's career-focused approach. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $65,668, with the university ranking in the top third nationally for earnings outcomes. What's particularly impressive is that Woodbury graduates earn about $20,957 more than similar students at other institutions, demonstrating substantial earnings beyond expectations that place the university among the stronger performers for return on investment.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly by field of study. Business Administration graduates, representing the university's highest aggregate return program with 21 graduates, earn around $52,107 ten years out and benefit from strong employer connections in the Los Angeles market. Commercial Photography, the largest program with 26 graduates, produces early-career earnings of about $33,993, while Cinematography and Film Production graduates start around $25,774 as they build careers in competitive creative industries.
The university's specialized focus on business and creative fields, combined with its Burbank location near major entertainment and media companies, helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations. Students benefit from industry connections, internship opportunities, and career services that translate academic training into practical workforce success, particularly in fields where networking and hands-on experience are crucial for long-term advancement.
Affordability at Woodbury University reflects typical private university pricing, with net costs that require careful family planning. Low-income students pay about $25,368 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $25,615 per year. High-income families face higher net prices of approximately $34,434, though these figures remain more predictable than at many private institutions where pricing can vary more dramatically by income level.
Debt levels require attention, as typical graduates leave with about $26,960 in federal student loan debt, and families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $33,500. While these amounts are substantial, they align with what many private universities see, and Woodbury's strong earnings outcomes help graduates manage repayment more effectively than at institutions with weaker career preparation.
The university's loan repayment patterns show encouraging signs, with borrowers paying down balances faster than national averages in the early years after graduation. This suggests that despite higher upfront costs, Woodbury's career-focused programs and industry connections help graduates achieve the earnings stability needed to handle their educational investments responsibly over time.
Woodbury University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
