Wilberforce University
Wilberforce, Ohio · Private Nonprofit · 40.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 14/100 · Poor Value
Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio scores ROI 14 (Poor Value) -- one of America's oldest HBCUs with 822 undergraduates and a deeply challenging financial profile. The completion rate of 12% is the most alarming data point in this analysis: fewer than 1 in 8 enrolled students graduates. Median 6-year earnings of $27,300 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.97 confirm that graduates carry nearly a full year's salary in debt against very modest starting incomes. The payback period approaches 50 years in the Scorecard model. Net price is extremely low ($5,567 average), but the low price cannot offset the structural completion problem. Business, General is the only reported program, with an F-grade ROI and 1.14 debt-to-earnings ratio. The repayment rate of 45.9% indicates that fewer than half of borrowers are making on-time loan payments -- the worst repayment rate in this analysis. Wilberforce's historical importance as the nation's first HBCU owned and operated by African Americans is not in question; its current academic and financial outcomes are.
The data raises concerns about Wilberforce University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score14/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate12.0% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period49.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Wilberforce University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $16,448/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $16,448/yr |
| Average net price | $5,567/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $22,268 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,298 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $27,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,468 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $281 |
| Estimated payback period | 49.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 12.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 822 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Wilberforce University is $16,448/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $5,567/year, or roughly $22,268 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $5,630/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $5,226/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,468 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $281 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $38,298 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.97 - 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 | $5,630 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,313 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,211 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $5,217 |
| $110,001+ | $5,226 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $5,630 per year -- extremely low. Over four years (if a student completes), that is roughly $22,520. The actual cost for many Wilberforce students is near zero out-of-pocket given Pell grants and state aid. The financial problem is not cost -- it is the 12% completion rate. Students who leave with debt and no degree at $5,630/year have still paid for something they did not receive.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Costs are nearly flat across all income bands at Wilberforce: $5,313 (30-48k), $5,211 (48-75k), $5,217 (75-110k). The school's pricing is essentially income-blind above the Pell threshold, reflecting a uniform low-tuition model regardless of ability to pay. Middle-income families face the same completion risk as all other students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $5,226 per year -- essentially identical to all other income brackets. Over four years that is roughly $20,904. The low price at all income levels is consistent with Wilberforce's historical mission of providing accessible education to Black students regardless of income. The ROI problem is completion, not cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at Wilberforce University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business, General | $52,144 | F |
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.
Business, General
Business, General is the only program with Scorecard earnings data at Wilberforce. Median 1-year earnings of $31,290 and 4-year earnings of $52,144 show meaningful earnings growth for graduates who persist. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.14 (ROI grade F) with $35,674 median debt -- the highest debt figure in this program analysis -- confirms that graduates carry substantial loan burdens relative to their earnings. The $35,674 median debt likely reflects federal loan limits taken across multiple enrollment years, including students who attended for several years without completing. Business graduates who do finish Wilberforce and enter Columbus, Dayton, or Cincinnati employment markets may outperform this Scorecard median.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 38.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 45.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 37.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 46.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 40.5% |
| Enrollment | 822 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 74.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,300 |
Wilberforce admits 40.5% of applicants -- the most selective admission rate in this analysis relative to its ROI score, suggesting the filtering is mission-based rather than outcomes-based. No SAT/ACT bands are reported. The 40.5% admission rate combined with a 12% completion rate indicates that many admitted students face barriers to persistence that begin before academic performance issues.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Wilberforce (ROI 14) sits below Huston-Tillotson University and Philander Smith University in its HBCU peer set (specific peer scores not available for all). Allegheny Wesleyan College and Art Academy of Cincinnati are also in the peer set. Brevard College (a small private) is also listed. Wilberforce's 12% completion rate is a national outlier -- most HBCUs in this analysis show completion rates in the 30-55% range. The repayment rate of 45.9% and D2E of 0.97 are both signals of systemic financial distress in the graduate population. These numbers reflect structural barriers -- financial, academic, and institutional -- that the data captures but cannot fully explain.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilberforce University (this school) | 14 | $5,567 | $38,298 |
| Oakwood University | 14 | $25,669 | $42,488 |
| Albany State University | 14 | $11,898 | $40,674 |
| Clark Atlanta University | 14 | $37,702 | $42,712 |
| Jackson State University | 14 | $23,836 | $39,060 |
| Fisk University | 14 | $32,020 | $45,454 |
Who Thrives Here
Wilberforce serves students who are committed to the school's HBCU identity and community. The school does not report SAT/ACT bands. With 74.1% Pell recipients -- the highest in this analysis -- the student body is predominantly low-income. The 12% completion rate is the critical barrier: students who enroll face overwhelming odds against graduation. For students who are considering Wilberforce, the data strongly suggests visiting campus, speaking with current and former students about academic support, and having a clear plan for managing the completion barriers that most enrolled students encounter.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Wilberforce University. With a net cost of $5,567 per year and median graduate earnings of only $38,298 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 49.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 12.0% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $26,468 against $38,298 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.