Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 80.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 72/100 · Fair Value
Washington & Jefferson College, a small private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania (about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh), scores 72 on overall ROI (Fair Value tier) -- the strongest score in this batch. Tuition is $29,392 with average net price of $25,002 (~$100,008 over four years). The score is built on strong fundamentals: median earnings six years out are $45,400, climbing to $67,918 by year ten -- well above national averages and powered by significant grad-school placement (W&J has notable medical, law, and dental school feeder reputation). The 7.3-year payback period is genuinely good, comfortably under benchmark. Median debt is $27,000. Completion is 70% -- among the strongest in this batch and a real differentiator. The 84% three-year repayment rate is excellent. The 0.33 earnings premium is solid for a small liberal arts college. W&J's strength is in pre-professional pipelines (pre-med, pre-law, pre-dental, accounting, economics) where graduates exit to high-earning grad-school tracks. This is genuinely defensible value for academically-prepared students who can stack significant aid.
Washington & Jefferson College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $29,392/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $29,392/yr |
| Average net price | $25,002/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $100,008 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,918 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 69.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,295 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Washington & Jefferson College is $29,392/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $25,002/year, or roughly $100,008 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,265/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,655/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $67,918 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - 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 | $15,265 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,958 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,975 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,322 |
| $110,001+ | $29,655 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $15,265 net, and the $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $13,958 -- the cheapest tier (slight inversion). With Pell, PHEAA state grant, and W&J institutional aid, four-year cost runs about $56,000-$61,000. Strong value for low-income Pennsylvania students given the school's strong outcomes and grad-school placement.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $18,975 and $75,001-$110,000 jumps significantly to $32,322 -- a big step-up at the upper-middle income tier. The $110,001-plus bracket actually pays slightly LESS at $29,655 -- a notable inversion where the upper-middle band pays MORE than the highest-income tier. Middle-income families targeting pre-professional tracks should run W&J's specific calculator carefully.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,001 pay $29,655 -- effectively full-pay at roughly $119,000 over four years. At this price for a small liberal arts college, W&J is competitive with Allegheny, Westminster, and similar Pennsylvania privates. Value is defensible primarily for pre-professional students; for general liberal arts, Penn State or Pitt at materially lower in-state pricing offer competitive alternatives.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Washington & Jefferson College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $57,026 | D |
| Business Administration and Management | $72,219 | C |
| Accounting | $83,516 | C+ |
| Biology | $29,926 | D |
| International Relations | $63,258 | C |
| English Language and Literature | $50,646 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $79,272 | - |
| Romance Languages | $61,972 | F |
| Communication and Media Studies | $68,066 | C |
| Economics | $72,305 | 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.
Accounting
Accounting earns C+ ROI: $59,401 first-year and $83,516 four-year median earnings against $27,000 median debt produce a 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio. 21 graduates per cohort feed Pittsburgh-region public accounting (Big Four and regional firms) plus corporate finance roles. Among the stronger small-college accounting outcomes nationally.
Economics
Economics earns C+ ROI: $50,402 first-year and $72,305 four-year median earnings against $27,000 median debt produce a 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio. 9 graduates per cohort feed finance, consulting, graduate economics, and law school pipelines. Good liberal arts pre-professional bet.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration is a major program at 30 graduates with $45,911 first-year and $72,219 four-year median earnings against $26,085 median debt (0.57 debt-to-earnings) -- a C ROI grade. Strong four-year earnings curve indicates W&J business graduates progress meaningfully into mid-career roles in Pittsburgh-region corporate, finance, and operations.
Psychology
Psychology is W&J's largest program at 35 graduates with $29,363 first-year and $57,026 four-year median earnings against $27,000 median debt (0.92 debt-to-earnings) -- a D ROI grade. The four-year curve doubles, indicating significant grad-school placement (clinical psychology, counseling, education, social work) that monetizes the credential. Patience and grad school are required.
Romance Languages
Romance Languages posts an F ROI grade: $19,700 first-year earnings against $27,000 median debt produce a 1.37 debt-to-earnings ratio. 13 graduates per cohort. The four-year median climbs dramatically to $61,972, suggesting graduates pivot to law school, international careers, or graduate teaching. Front-loaded financial pain that resolves only with subsequent credentials.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 82.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 80.6% |
| Enrollment | 1,295 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,324 |
W&J admits 81% of applicants -- moderately accessible. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported in current Scorecard data, fitting W&J's test-optional posture. The 70% completion rate is exceptionally strong for an 81%-admit school and is one of the major drivers of the ROI score. The selectivity-to-completion correlation is unusual here: W&J appears to admit broadly but graduates students at rates more typical of more-selective institutions, suggesting strong academic support and student-faculty engagement.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peer set is uneven. Albright College and Albion College are the closest functional peers -- small Pennsylvania/Michigan liberal arts colleges with similar mission. D'Youville University and Mount Mercy University are healthcare-leaning small Catholic schools. Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is a tiny niche outlier. Across this peer set, W&J is the strongest performer on ROI. Within the broader Pennsylvania small liberal arts cluster, W&J ranks well -- comparable to Allegheny College and Westminster, and distinct from Lebanon Valley or Susquehanna in its pre-professional emphasis.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington & Jefferson College (this school) | 72 | $25,002 | $67,918 |
| D'Youville University | 78 | $20,433 | $66,942 |
| Mount Mercy University | 68 | $20,168 | $60,787 |
| Albion College | 65 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
With 1,295 students and a 31% Pell rate, W&J serves a moderately middle-income, predominantly Pennsylvania-and-Ohio student population with strong representation from Pittsburgh-area families. The fit profile: students targeting medical, dental, law, or other graduate professional schools, who want a small liberal-arts environment with strong pre-professional advising. Strongest tracks: Psychology (35 graduates -- the largest), Business Administration (30), Accounting (21), Biology (20), English (18), International Relations (18). Computer Science is small but posts the highest four-year earnings.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Washington & Jefferson College offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $25,002 per year leads to $100,008 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $67,918 a decade out. The payback period of 7.3 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: a 69.5% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $27,000 against $67,918 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.