Washington College
Chestertown, Maryland · Private Nonprofit · 56.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 64/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Washington College scores 64 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. This small liberal arts college in Chestertown, Maryland, charges $55,326 in sticker tuition with a net price of $27,898. Average 6-year earnings of $40,700 and a 65.4% completion rate are the key metrics. The repayment rate of 90.0% at three years is the strongest sub-score, suggesting graduates who finish are managing their debt responsibly. Programs are small in volume and limited in diversity. Economics (8 graduates, $50,835 year-one, $75,674 year-four, ROI grade C+) and International Relations (14 graduates, $36,741 year-one, $69,018 year-four, ROI grade C) have adequate outcomes. Natural Resources Conservation (30 graduates) earns an F-grade ROI with a 1.188 debt-to-earnings ratio and $22,324 year-one earnings. Median debt of $26,956 is high. At 891 enrolled, Washington College is tiny - campus relationships are intimate. The Chestertown location is rural and remote from major employment markets, which may suppress early-career earnings by limiting internship and networking access.
Washington College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $55,326/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $55,326/yr |
| Average net price | $27,898/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $111,592 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,518 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,956 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 65.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 891 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $55,326/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $27,898/year, or roughly $111,592 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $17,804/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $33,980/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $26,956, which works out to about $286 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($40,700) and comes to 0.66, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
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 | $17,804 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,722 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,068 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,760 |
| $110,001+ | $33,980 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $17,804 per year at Washington College. Four years at $17,804 totals $71,216. Against average 6-year earnings of $40,700 and a 65.4% completion rate, the financial case requires careful program selection. Natural resources and social sciences carry the same $71,216 total. Economics or business paths are more defensible.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $25,068 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $26,760. Middle-income families face a four-year cost of $100,272-$107,040. Program selection matters enormously at this price point.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $33,980 per year, totaling $135,920 over four years. Washington College's full-pay value proposition rests primarily on the residential experience and regional reputation rather than financial return data.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Washington College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $55,165 | D |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $46,831 | F |
| Psychology | $44,955 | D |
| International Relations | $69,018 | C |
| Sociology | $53,799 | C+ |
| English Language and Literature | $46,305 | C |
| History | $51,167 | - |
| Economics | $75,674 | C+ |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $67,983 | - |
| Business Administration and Management | $74,880 | 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.
Economics
Economics (8 graduates) earns $50,835 year-one and $75,674 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.531 (ROI grade C+). Median debt of $27,000 at $50,835 year-one is a 0.53 ratio - manageable. The very small graduate volume (8) limits reliability. Year-four earnings of $75k suggest career advancement for graduates who enter finance or business roles in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
International Relations
International Relations (14 graduates) earns $36,741 year-one and $69,018 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.673 (ROI grade C). Near-term earnings of $36,741 reflect government, NGO, and public service entry-level pay. The four-year jump to $69,018 shows meaningful career progression. Median debt of $24,721 at $36,741 year-one is tight in the first years. Graduate school in international affairs is a common next step that delays earnings capture.
Natural Resources Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation (30 graduates) earns $22,324 year-one and $46,831 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.188 (ROI grade F). Median debt of $26,529 is 119% of year-one earnings. The Chesapeake Bay-adjacent campus supports a natural resources curriculum, but the labor market for environmental conservation roles pays poorly relative to student debt.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 87.3% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 90.0% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.9% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 89.9% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Washington College’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 56.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-680 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 580-710 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 27-31 |
| Enrollment | 891 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 22.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,768 |
At 56.9%, Washington College is accessible within its academic profile. SAT 560-680 Math and 580-710 Reading, ACT 27-31, describe a well-prepared but not highly selective student body. The credential carries regional recognition in Maryland but limited national reach. For students set on a small liberal arts experience in the Mid-Atlantic at a net price below $30,000, Washington College is a viable option - but outcomes data suggest the financial return is only adequate.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
The repayment rate of 90.0% is a bright spot.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington College (this school) | 64 | $27,898 | $65,518 |
| Capitol Technology University | 79 | $22,102 | $85,035 |
| AdventHealth University | 63 | $30,135 | $72,282 |
| Allegheny College | 63 | $22,940 | $62,069 |
| Walla Walla University | 62 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
| Washington Adventist University | 55 | $18,526 | $64,249 |
Who Thrives Here
Washington College admits 56.9% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 560-680 Math and 580-710 Reading; ACT 27-31. The Pell grant rate of 22.6% is modest. Washington College draws students who value small-campus, residential liberal arts education in Maryland and the broader Mid-Atlantic. Students pursuing writing, environmental science, or business in a close-knit setting are the primary fit.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Washington College is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $27,898 a year after aid ($111,592 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $65,518 a decade out, the cost takes about 8.2 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: high loan repayment success. What to keep an eye on: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 (median across the schools we score: 0.61).
Median debt of $26,956 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $40,700 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
Washington College: Common Questions
Is Washington College worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether Washington College is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 64/100 on our ROI scale. At $27,898 a year after aid ($111,592 over four years) against $65,518 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 8.2 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Washington College cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $27,898 a year, or roughly $111,592 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Washington College graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $65,518 ten years after enrolling, roughly $23,718 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Washington College?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 8.2 years for Washington College. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Washington College graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $26,956, against average earnings of $40,700 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at Washington College?
The six-year graduation rate is 65.4%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.