Washington Adventist University
Takoma Park, Maryland · Private Nonprofit · 46.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 55/100 · Below Average Value
Washington Adventist University earns an overall ROI score of 55/100, placing it in the below average value band on CampusROI's framework. Tuition runs $26,604 with an average net price of $18,526 after aid. Median earnings six years after entry land at $46,700, climbing to roughly $64,249 by year ten, producing a payback period of about 7.3 years. Median federal debt of $30,500 works out to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65, which is tight. Completion is the headline weakness at 28.6% of degree-seeking students finishing within 150% of normal time. The component scores break down as earnings premium 81/100, completion 9/100, payback 81/100, debt-to-earnings 39/100, repayment 10/100. The lowest sub-score is completion rate at 9/100, which is the main weight pulling the overall number down; the strongest sub-score is payback period at 81/100. Data points here come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (2024-2025 vintage), and Scorecard earnings carry a 6-10 year reporting lag, so the figures describe recent graduating cohorts rather than this year's incoming class.
The data raises concerns about Washington Adventist University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate28.6% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Washington Adventist University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $26,604/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $26,604/yr |
| Average net price | $18,526/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $74,104 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,249 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $46,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $30,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $323 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 28.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 452 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Washington Adventist University is $26,604/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,526/year, or roughly $74,104 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,534/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,480/year.
The median graduate leaves with $30,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $323 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $64,249 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.65 - 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 | $17,534 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,160 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,311 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,090 |
| $110,001+ | $21,480 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $17,534 per year here. With expected earnings around $64,249 a decade out, that's a tight number — Pell, state grants, and any institutional aid are doing real work to make it accessible, but families should still model debt carefully across four years.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) face a net price of about $19,311 per year. These households typically get less Pell support and partial institutional aid, so the tuition bill is more directly felt. Whether the math works depends on the major: programs with stronger early earnings can absorb this cost; lower-paying majors will produce a longer payback period. Note: the income-bracket data shows inversions where the 0-30k bracket pays more than the 30-48k bracket and the 75-110k bracket pays more than the 110k+ bracket — that's unusual and likely reflects small-sample noise or aid policy quirks; treat the brackets as approximate.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families in the $110,000+ bracket pay an average of $21,480 per year. At this price point the calculation is whether the school's earnings outcomes and completion rate justify paying near sticker — high-income families could likely access more selective options or in-state flagships at similar or lower out-of-pocket cost, so the value case has to be made on fit, program, or geography.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at Washington Adventist University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $94,173 | 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 (CIP 5138) graduates 43 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $85,352 and four-year earnings of $94,173. Median program debt is $47,033 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C. Nursing graduates typically enter clinical settings with strong wage floors and transferable licensure, which is why these programs hold up even at high cost.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 37.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 52.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 50.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 58.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 46.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 410-550 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 450-580 |
| Enrollment | 452 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 37.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,208 |
The school admits roughly 46.2% of applicants, putting it in the selective category (SAT Math 25th-75th of 410-550; SAT Reading 25th-75th of 450-580). For prepared students with solid high school records the admit decision is unlikely to be the binding constraint here. Selectivity correlates loosely with completion in Scorecard data, and at 28.6% this campus's completion rate is a notable mismatch worth probing.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Listed peer institutions include Capitol Technology University (ROI 79, Strong Value, 4.6yr payback); Goucher College (ROI 43, Poor Value, 12.8yr payback); College of Saint Mary (ROI 59, Below Average Value, 10.7yr payback); Pillar College (ROI 47, Below Average Value, 16.4yr payback); Bryan College-Dayton (ROI 54, Below Average Value, 11.4yr payback). Washington Adventist University sits at ROI 55 with 7.3yr payback, so families weighing options should compare these schools side by side on tuition net of aid, completion rate, and program-level earnings rather than relying on rankings.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Adventist University (this school) | 55 | $18,526 | $64,249 |
| Capitol Technology University | 79 | $22,102 | $85,035 |
| College of Saint Mary | 59 | $16,590 | $54,338 |
| Bryan College-Dayton | 54 | $20,614 | $54,434 |
| Pillar College | 47 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| Goucher College | 43 | $22,470 | $53,023 |
Who Thrives Here
This is a Mid-Atlantic institution with a small enrollment of 452 undergraduates and a Pell Grant rate of 37.2%, near the national average. Strong fit profile is a focused, locally-rooted student who has a clear major in mind and needs the in-state pricing and small-campus scale to make the math work. Be honest about completion: at this rate, a meaningful share of students who enroll do not finish, and incomplete degrees produce the worst ROI of any path. Median earnings ten years out of $64,249 should be the honest yardstick for whether the price the family will actually pay (see the income-bracket breakdown below) leads to a workable post-graduation budget.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Washington Adventist University is mixed. At $18,526 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $64,249 ten years after entry - a payback period of 7.3 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.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows a 28.6% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $30,500 against $64,249 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.