Wright State University-Main Campus
Dayton, Ohio · Public · 96.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 41/100 · Poor Value
Wright State University posts an ROI score of 41 (Poor Value) anchored by a 41.7% completion rate--less than half the cohort finishes within 150% of normal time, the single biggest drag on the composite. In-state tuition runs $11,522 with average net price of $15,415 (about $61,660 over four years), which is reasonable on its face. The problem is the outcome side: median earnings of $34,500 at six years rise to just $49,500 at ten, against a $22,750 median debt load and a $241/month payment. That produces a 13.9-year payback period and a 0.659 debt-to-earnings ratio--squarely in poor territory. Earnings premium (51) and repayment rate (44) are middling, while the 24-point completion sub-score is the structural weakness. Wright State's better STEM and nursing programs perform well, but the mass of psychology, education, communications, and arts grads pull the typical-student outcome down. This is a school where major selection and finishing on time aren't optional--they're the entire ROI thesis.
The data raises concerns about Wright State University-Main Campus
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score41/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Wright State University-Main Campus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,522/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $21,222/yr |
| Average net price | $15,415/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $61,660 |
| 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 | 13.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 41.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 6,762 |
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-Main Campus is $11,522/year ($21,222/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 $15,415/year, or roughly $61,660 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,952/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,720/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 | $11,952 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,631 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,501 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,734 |
| $110,001+ | $20,720 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families at $0-$30,000 pay $11,952 net; $30,001-$48,000 pay slightly less at $11,631 (a mild inverted bracket worth flagging, though the difference is small). That's roughly $46K-$48K over four years, the most affordable bracket. Pell plus state aid does meaningful work here. The risk isn't price--it's the 41.7% completion rate. Borrowing $22K and not finishing is the worst outcome, and it's the most common one.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Households at $48,001-$75,000 pay $14,501; $75,001-$110,000 pay $18,734. Total four-year cost lands around $58K-$75K. For working-class Dayton families, in-state pricing keeps the door open, but the 13.9-year payback and 0.659 debt-to-earnings ratio mean the typical graduate spends most of their twenties carrying loans. STEM/nursing majors flip those numbers; non-STEM majors don't.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $20,720 net (~$83K over four years). At that price, Wright State competes poorly against Ohio State, Miami of Ohio, or Cincinnati main campus on long-run earnings. Higher-income students choosing Wright State usually do so for a specific program (engineering, nursing) or commuting convenience, not for headline ROI value.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Wright State University-Main Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $77,289 | B |
| Psychology | $46,507 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,039 | C |
| Teacher Education | $42,970 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,795 | B |
| Finance and Financial Management | $71,696 | B |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $92,006 | B |
| Business Administration and Management | $58,039 | C+ |
| Biology | $62,925 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $41,987 | D |
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
Nursing is the largest cohort (141 graduates) and one of the strongest ROI bets at Wright State: $70,327 first-year earnings climb to $77,289 by year four, with $25,987 median debt yielding a 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B grade. The Dayton/Cincinnati hospital systems absorb these grads at solid wages. For a student certain about nursing, Wright State's value proposition holds up clearly.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is the program-level standout with a B+ grade. First-year earnings of $68,977 grow to $89,391 by year four against $23,250 debt--a 0.337 debt-to-earnings ratio. With 27 graduates and Wright-Patterson AFB plus regional aerospace and defense employers nearby, placement is strong. This is the highest-confidence ROI path at Wright State.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering pulls 66 graduates with $66,331 first-year earnings rising to $82,795 at year four. Median debt of $25,000 produces a 0.377 debt-to-earnings ratio (B grade). The Dayton manufacturing and aerospace ecosystem--particularly Wright-Patterson contractors--gives graduates real local options without needing to relocate. Solid program-level ROI.
Psychology
Psychology is the largest non-engineering major at 127 graduates and earns a D grade. First-year earnings of just $32,105 rising to $46,507 by year four against $27,700 in debt produces an 0.863 debt-to-earnings ratio. Without graduate school, this credential under-earns the cost. Students drawn to psychology should plan for an MA or PsyD path or seriously reconsider the major-school combo.
Teacher Education
Teacher education enrolls 81 graduates and posts a D grade with $36,332 first-year earnings, $42,970 by year four, and $27,000 median debt (0.743 debt-to-earnings). Ohio teacher salaries don't recover the cost quickly; loan-forgiveness programs (PSLF, state-specific) become essential to making the math work. Students entering this track should map the forgiveness pathway before borrowing.
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
| Acceptance rate | 96.3% |
| Enrollment | 6,762 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 34.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,222 |
Wright State admits 96.3% of applicants, effectively open access. Test-score mid-ranges (SAT, ACT) are not reported in current Scorecard data, which is consistent with Wright State's test-optional posture. Open admissions plus the 41.7% completion rate signal a school admitting many academically underprepared students; prospective students should view their own preparation honestly before committing, since the modal Wright State student does not graduate.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among regional public peers, Wright State sits below University of Akron's main campus and University of Maine on overall ROI scoring, and roughly parallel to Idaho State University and Marshall University. Akron's main campus has comparable cost structures but slightly better completion outcomes; Marshall and Idaho State share Wright State's profile of accessible pricing, modest earnings, and middling completion. None of these peers is a high-value standout--they're all regional access institutions where in-state pricing is the value proposition.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State University-Main Campus (this school) | 41 | $15,415 | $49,500 |
| University of Akron Wayne College | 48 | $6,032 | $46,600 |
| Marshall University | 46 | $7,502 | $46,354 |
| University of Maine | 43 | $17,510 | $48,653 |
| Idaho State University | 38 | $12,193 | $45,608 |
| University of Akron Main Campus | 38 | $13,946 | $46,600 |
Who Thrives Here
Wright State fits Dayton-area and Ohio commuter students--especially first-generation and Pell-eligible (34.5% Pell rate)--who can leverage in-state pricing while living at home. Enrollment of 6,762 puts it in the smaller-mid-sized public range. The strongest student outcomes cluster in nursing (141 grads), engineering (computer, electrical, mechanical, biomedical), and computer/information sciences. Students drawn to psychology (127 grads), teacher education (81+35), communications, or arts need eyes wide open: those tracks consistently produce D and F ROI grades here. Disciplined, focused students do well; drifters do not.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Wright State University-Main Campus. With a net cost of $15,415 per year and median graduate earnings of only $49,500 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 13.9 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 41.7% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
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.