Roberts Wesleyan University
Rochester, New York · Private Nonprofit · 70.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 52/100 · Below Average Value
Roberts Wesleyan University scores 52 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The sticker tuition of $38,826 and net price of $23,130 produce a $92,520 four-year cost that outpaces what the institutional earnings data supports for most programs. Median 6-year earnings of $39,100, a 66.7% completion rate, and an 11.6-year payback period define the central challenge. Median debt of $23,750 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.607 are in Below Average territory. Registered Nursing is the clear exception: 60 graduates, $75,953 year-one, $90,146 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.369 (ROI grade B). Outside of nursing, the program data is thin and generally weak -- Social Work ($37,100 year-one, ROI grade D), Education Other ($35,712 year-one, ROI grade D), and Liberal Arts ($30,102 year-one, ROI grade D) all earn D grades. The repayment rate of 71.9% is concerning -- nearly 3 in 10 borrowers are not reducing principal three years after entering repayment. Roberts Wesleyan is a Christian institution in Rochester, New York with a small enrollment of 1,149; it may serve students for non-financial reasons, but the financial profile warrants careful scrutiny.
Roberts Wesleyan University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $38,826/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $38,826/yr |
| Average net price | $23,130/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $92,520 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,031 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,750 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $252 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 66.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,149 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Roberts Wesleyan University is $38,826/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,130/year, or roughly $92,520 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $22,922/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,297/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,750 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $252 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,031 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.61 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,922 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,396 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,241 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,788 |
| $110,001+ | $27,297 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $22,922 net price per year -- approximately $91,688 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $14,396, a significant drop suggesting a step function in the aid formula that strongly favors the middle-income bracket just above the lowest tier. At $22,922 per year, low-income students at Roberts Wesleyan face a high cost relative to most program earnings outside nursing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $19,241 per year; the 75001-110000 bracket pays $23,788. Middle-income families see modest aid above the lowest bracket. The 11.6-year payback period and $39,100 median 6-year earnings apply regardless of income band. Program selection -- specifically whether a student pursues nursing vs. social work or education -- dominates the ROI outcome at every income level.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $27,297 per year -- $109,188 all-in. At this price point, only nursing (year-one $75,953) or potentially human resources management (year-one $66,063 for 5 graduates) justify the investment from a pure financial standpoint. Other programs at this net price produce payback periods extending well beyond a decade.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Roberts Wesleyan University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $90,146 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $49,788 | - |
| Education, Other | $48,623 | D |
| Psychology | $43,566 | C |
| Social Work | $44,863 | D |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $62,455 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $40,527 | D |
| Homeland Security | $27,387 | D |
| Human Resources Management | $75,523 | B |
| Special Education and Teaching | $47,243 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Roberts Wesleyan's dominant strong-ROI program: 60 graduates, $75,953 year-one, $90,146 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.369 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $28,000 is elevated relative to the institutional median but manageable against $76k year-one earnings. The Rochester healthcare market -- anchored by University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester General, and the VA -- provides strong placement. For students committed to nursing, Roberts Wesleyan's B-grade outcome at this net price is a defensible choice.
Social Work
Social Work earns a D-grade ROI: 17 graduates, $37,100 year-one, $44,863 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.717. Against $23,130 average net price per year and $26,596 median debt, social work graduates face a long payback period. Students targeting social work should explore whether income-based repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness are part of their financial strategy, given that the Scorecard earnings data reflects salaries that do not grow substantially over the first four years.
Education, Other
Education programs (25 graduates) earn a D-grade ROI: $35,712 year-one, $48,623 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.896 against $32,002 median debt. The $32,002 median debt figure is one of the highest at the institution and produces a debt-to-earnings ratio approaching 0.9. Education completers at Roberts Wesleyan face a challenging financial position -- the Rochester-area teacher salary schedule will eventually provide stability, but the first years post-graduation against $32,000 in debt will be constrained.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 74.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 70.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 485-635 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 505-670 |
| Enrollment | 1,149 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 35.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,175 |
At 70.6%, Roberts Wesleyan is broadly accessible. SAT mid-ranges (485-635 Math, 505-670 Reading) cover a wide range. The ACT is not reported. For students targeting the nursing program specifically, it is worth confirming that nursing admission is competitive within the institution and that the SAT/ACT requirements are met for that specific program, not just general admission.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Roberts Wesleyan's Scorecard peers include Adelphi University, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wittenberg University, Regis College, and Southern Nazarene University. ROI scores for these specific peers are not available in current files. Within the western New York Christian private college market, Roberts Wesleyan (ROI 52) competes primarily on faith-based mission and nursing program quality. Students comparing options should weigh Houghton University, Nazareth College, and SUNY Brockport -- the last offering the nursing pipeline at significantly lower net cost.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roberts Wesleyan University (this school) | 52 | $23,130 | $55,031 |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| Adelphi University | 75 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
| Southern Nazarene University | 55 | $22,084 | $54,951 |
| Wittenberg University | 52 | $18,649 | $54,947 |
| Regis College | 49 | $27,477 | $52,873 |
Who Thrives Here
Roberts Wesleyan admits 70.6% of applicants and enrolls 1,149 undergraduates in Rochester, New York. SAT mid-ranges are 485-635 Math and 505-670 Reading. ACT data is not reported by the Scorecard. The Pell grant rate of 35.4% indicates a significant share of lower-income students. Students drawn to the Wesleyan Christian tradition, nursing as a vocation, or the Rochester healthcare ecosystem will find the institution a better fit than students primarily focused on ROI. The 66.7% completion rate is above the national average for similar-sized Christian privates, but the earnings data outside nursing is weak.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Roberts Wesleyan University is mixed. At $23,130 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $55,031 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.6 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Median debt of $23,750 against $55,031 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.