Wesleyan College
Macon, Georgia · Private Nonprofit · 59.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 24/100 · Poor Value
Wesleyan College scores 24 (Poor Value) -- a serious warning signal on nearly every CampusROI dimension. Median 6-year earnings are $27,800, the payback period is 20.5 years, the completion rate is 44.5%, and the repayment rate of 48.4% at five years means fewer than half of borrowers are reducing principal. Median debt of $24,094 with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.867 is difficult. The college is tiny (400 students), a women's college in Macon, Georgia, with a 59.1% admission rate and SAT mid-ranges of 450-543 Math and 518-573 Reading. Only two programs have Scorecard data: Registered Nursing (24 graduates, C+ grade) and Business Administration (27 graduates, four-year earnings $58,887 only). Net price of $12,724 is relatively low given the private college context, reflecting heavy discount rates. The Pell grant rate of 45.8% is high, indicating that a large share of students are from lower-income families -- who are also most exposed to the consequences of poor completion and earnings outcomes. The data is stark: the low repayment rate combined with the low completion rate suggests a significant portion of students leave with debt and without the credential that would improve their earnings.
The data raises concerns about Wesleyan College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score24/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period20.5 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Wesleyan College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $27,650/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $27,650/yr |
| Average net price | $12,724/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $50,896 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,317 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $27,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,094 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $255 |
| Estimated payback period | 20.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 44.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 400 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Wesleyan College is $27,650/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,724/year, or roughly $50,896 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,045/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,726/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,094 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $255 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $44,317 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.87 - 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 | $11,045 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,317 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,943 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,287 |
| $110,001+ | $22,726 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $11,045 net price per year at Wesleyan, and the $30,001-48,000 bracket pays $13,317. These are among the most affordable price points for a private Georgia college. However, the 44.5% completion rate and 48.4% five-year repayment rate mean that a significant fraction of low-income students leave with debt and without the degree. For the lowest-income families, a public Georgia alternative (Georgia State, Columbus State) with better completion rates and similar price may present a stronger financial case.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $75,001-110,000 bracket actually pays $9,287 -- the lowest net price in the schedule, reflecting the aid formula's unusual inversion. Middle-income families at $75,000-110,000 could find this remarkably affordable, but the completion and earnings data still applies. A degree that takes 20.5 years to pay back represents a long-term financial drag even at low nominal cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families over $110,000 pay $22,726 per year. At that price for a school with a 44.5% completion rate and $27,800 median earnings, the financial case is weak for most majors. The nursing program modifies the calculus for those who specifically target health careers, but full-pay families have many better-valued alternatives.
Earnings by Major
Top 2 most popular majors at Wesleyan College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $58,887 | - |
| Registered Nursing | $67,603 | 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 (24 graduates) earns $70,482 year-one and $67,603 at year four -- the four-year figure is lower than year-one, likely reflecting cohort mix. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.542 (ROI grade C+) with median debt of $38,170 is higher than most nursing programs nationally. The C+ grade reflects the elevated debt load. Nursing remains the strongest earnings pathway at Wesleyan, but the debt is meaningfully higher than peer programs; students should explore whether borrowing can be reduced.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (27 graduates) reports $58,887 at year four (year-one earnings not reported by Scorecard). Debt data is also not reported. With limited data, a full ROI assessment is not possible, but the four-year figure is reasonable for a small private college business program if debt levels are contained. Students should request cost-of-attendance and typical debt figures directly from the institution.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 46.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 48.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 55.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 56.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 59.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 450-543 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 518-573 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-24 |
| Enrollment | 400 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 45.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,243 |
Wesleyan admits 59.1% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 450-543 Math and 518-573 Reading and ACT 20-24. These ranges describe a college-ready but not highly selective pool. The relevant constraint is not admission but the financial profile: a 44.5% completion rate and 20.5-year payback period mean the decision to enroll carries significant financial risk regardless of academic preparation.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Wesleyan's peer set includes Agnes Scott College, Clark Atlanta University, Touro University Worldwide, University of the Southwest, and Caribbean University Ponce. Agnes Scott is a stronger women's college option in Georgia with better outcomes. Clark Atlanta is an Atlanta-area HBCU with different context and higher enrollment. Among Wesleyan's direct peers, the institution's 24 ROI score places it at the low end. The fundamental challenge is the combination of small scale, low completion, and limited program variety that constrains what the Scorecard can show.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wesleyan College (this school) | 24 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| Salem College | 26 | $18,277 | $44,640 |
| Columbia College | 25 | $22,715 | $45,378 |
| Mary Baldwin University | 25 | $12,756 | $44,427 |
| Midway University | 24 | $29,579 | $44,246 |
| Hollins University | 21 | $20,896 | $40,075 |
Who Thrives Here
Wesleyan College is a small women's liberal arts college with 400 students and a 59.1% admission rate. SAT mid-ranges of 450-543 Math and 518-573 Reading, ACT 20-24. The 45.8% Pell rate reflects substantial lower-income enrollment. The institution's mission and campus culture -- women's college in the Southeast -- are real draws that the Scorecard data does not capture. However, students considering Wesleyan should do so with full awareness that fewer than half of students complete and that the repayment data shows widespread borrower difficulty. Students with strong financial support or who are specifically drawn to the nursing track have a different calculus than the average.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Wesleyan College. With a net cost of $12,724 per year and median graduate earnings of only $44,317 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 20.5 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 44.5% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $24,094 against $44,317 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.