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Wilmington University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · New Castle, DE · 7,906 students

The verdict

Wilmington University charges a net price of $15,644/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $62,576. Graduates earn a median $53,844 ten years after entry, $5,484/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 11.4 years — a 20-year net return of $47,104, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Wilmington University's 11.4-year payback ranks #844 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 34% of them, and #3 of 6 in Delaware.

Better ROI than 34% of US colleges#844 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$15,644
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$53,844
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
11.4 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Wilmington University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$15,644/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$62,576our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$53,844Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$5,484/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$20,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback11.4 yrsour math
20-year net return$47,104our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Wilmington University: frequently asked questions

Is Wilmington University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Wilmington University charges $15,644/yr after aid ($62,576 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $53,844 ten years out — $5,484/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 11.4 years and returns $47,104 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a Wilmington University degree take to pay off?
About 11.4 years. We divide the $62,576 four-year net cost by the $5,484/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Wilmington University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $15,644/yr — about $62,576 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Wilmington University compare to other Delaware colleges?
It ranks #3 of 6 Delaware colleges we track by payback. Its $53,844 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $15,644 net price is below the national median of $16,906.