Wright State University-Lake Campus
Celina, Ohio · Public
ROI Score: 48/100 · Below Average Value
Wright State University-Lake Campus scores 48 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. This small public branch campus in Celina, Ohio, has in-state tuition of $7,728 and a net price of $11,081 -- among the lowest in the dataset. Despite affordable pricing, outcomes are weak: $34,500 median 6-year earnings, a 40.9% completion rate, and a 12.7-year payback period. The completion rate is the central problem -- fewer than half of students who enroll graduate. The repayment rate of 71.4% at three years signals that a meaningful portion of borrowers are struggling with debt. Registered Nursing (22 graduates, $70,327 year-one, ROI grade B) and Mechanical Engineering (17 graduates, $66,331 year-one, ROI grade B) are the two programs with defensible ROI. Business Administration (46 graduates, $42,680 year-one, ROI grade C) and Teacher Education (44 graduates, $36,332 year-one, ROI grade D) are weaker. The Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies program carries an F-grade ROI with a 1.514 debt-to-earnings ratio. Admission rate data is not reported. Enrollment is 892, making it a very small campus. The low net price is the primary appeal; the outcomes data suggest the campus's academic support infrastructure is not retaining a sufficient portion of students.
Wright State University-Lake Campus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,728/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $17,428/yr |
| Average net price | $11,081/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $44,324 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,500 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,750 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $241 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 40.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 892 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Wright State University-Lake Campus is $7,728/year ($17,428/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $11,081/year, or roughly $44,324 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,349/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $15,152/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,750 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $241 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $49,500 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.66 - 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 | $7,349 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,436 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,188 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,536 |
| $110,001+ | $15,152 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $7,349 per year at Wright State Lake Campus -- among the lowest net prices in the dataset. Four years at $7,349 totals $29,396. For nursing students who complete, this is an exceptional value. The 40.9% completion rate is the critical caveat: low-income students who do not graduate accumulate debt without a degree.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $10,188 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $12,536. Both represent extremely low net costs for a four-year degree. Even at $12,536 annually, four-year all-in is $50,144. Against median earnings of $34,500 at year six, the payback is long (12.7 years at median), but nursing and engineering students well outperform that median.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $15,152 per year, totaling $60,608 over four years -- still among the lowest total costs in the dataset at any income level. The financial risk here is not cost but completion: students must actually graduate to capture the ROI. High-income families choosing this campus are likely doing so for geographic or family reasons, not credential prestige.
Earnings by Major
Top 9 most popular majors at Wright State University-Lake Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,039 | C |
| Teacher Education | $42,970 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $77,289 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,795 | B |
| Business Administration and Management | $58,039 | C+ |
| Psychology | $46,507 | D |
| Political Science and Government | $46,939 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $41,987 | D |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $42,817 | 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.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is the strongest program at Wright State Lake Campus: 22 graduates, $70,327 year-one, $77,289 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.370 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $25,987 at $70k year-one earnings is a 0.37 ratio -- manageable. The low in-state tuition makes this nursing program one of the most affordable in Ohio. Nurses in the western Ohio healthcare market earn competitively, supporting these outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (17 graduates) earns $66,331 year-one and $82,795 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.377 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $25,000 at $66k year-one earnings is a 0.38 ratio -- reasonable. Wright State has a solid engineering tradition; the Lake Campus likely feeds the automotive and manufacturing sectors in northwest Ohio. Small graduate volume limits confidence, but the outcomes are consistent with regional engineering norms.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (46 graduates) earns $42,680 year-one and $60,039 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.586 (ROI grade C). These are near-median outcomes for a small regional public campus. Median debt of $25,000 at $42,680 year-one is a 0.59 ratio -- manageable but not comfortable. The four-year progression to $60k shows career advancement but not rapid growth, consistent with regional business roles in small-to-mid Ohio markets.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 64.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 56.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 66.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 892 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 21.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,112 |
The Scorecard does not report admission rate or test score ranges for Wright State Lake Campus. This is consistent with an open or nearly open-access regional campus model. Students are admitted based primarily on high school transcript and placement testing rather than a competitive review process.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Wright State Lake Campus peers include University of Akron Main Campus, University of Akron-Wayne College, University of Virginia's College at Wise, Bloomfield College of Montclair State, and Oklahoma Panhandle State. These are all small, open-access or regional campuses with modest outcome profiles. Among branch and regional campuses with public pricing, Wright State Lake Campus's nursing and engineering outcomes are competitive. The 40.9% completion rate is the metric that most limits its ROI score relative to peers with similar pricing but higher graduation rates.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State University-Lake Campus (this school) | 48 | $11,081 | $49,500 |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State University | 53 | $7,413 | $44,933 |
| Bloomfield College of Montclair State University | 50 | $28,014 | $61,415 |
| University of Akron Wayne College | 48 | $6,032 | $46,600 |
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | 48 | $9,210 | $45,325 |
| University of Akron Main Campus | 38 | $13,946 | $46,600 |
Who Thrives Here
Wright State Lake Campus does not report an admission rate or test score ranges. At 892 enrolled, it is a commuter-oriented regional campus serving the Celina, Ohio, area. The Pell grant rate of 21.2% is moderate. The campus model is designed for local students who cannot or prefer not to travel to the main Wright State campus in Dayton. Nursing and engineering are the clearest paths to strong ROI. Students should be aware that the 40.9% completion rate means the majority of peers who enroll will not graduate.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Wright State University-Lake Campus is mixed. At $11,081 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $49,500 ten years after entry - a payback period of 12.7 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.
Areas of concern include a 40.9% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $22,750 against $49,500 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.