Crawfordsville, IN · Private University
Is Wabash College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$69,952
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$49,125
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,125
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$196,500
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.42x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
77.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$21,906
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Wabash College graduates earn $24,952 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Wabash College ranked by graduate earnings
39 graduates
28 graduates
25 graduates
22 graduates
23 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Wabash College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Wabash College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $64,767) and the lowest (Religion/Religious Studies: $26,455) is $38,312/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $64,767 | 1.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $56,880 | 1.2x |
| History | $51,232 | 1.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(1yr data) | $50,446 | 1.0x |
| Religion/Religious StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $26,455 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wabash College | 1.42x | $69,952 | Average ROI |
| Washington College | 1.21x | $65,518 | Average ROI |
| Allegheny College | 1.13x | $62,069 | Average ROI |
| Kalamazoo College | 1.12x | $65,590 | Average ROI |
| Salve Regina University | 1.52x | $72,975 | Good ROI |
| Drew University | 1.40x | $63,646 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Wabash College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $69,952 10 years after starting — $24,952 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.6 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.