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Woodbury University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Burbank, CA · 779 students

The verdict

Woodbury University charges a net price of $33,692/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $134,768. Graduates earn a median $65,668 ten years after entry, $17,308/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.8 years — a 20-year net return of $211,392, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Woodbury University's 7.8-year payback ranks #679 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 47% of them, and #91 of 334 in California.

Better ROI than 47% of US colleges#679 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$33,692
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$65,668
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
7.8 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
82%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Woodbury University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$33,692/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$134,768our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$65,668Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$17,308/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$26,960Scorecard, 2026
Payback7.8 yrsour math
20-year net return$211,392our 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.

Woodbury University: frequently asked questions

Is Woodbury University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Woodbury University charges $33,692/yr after aid ($134,768 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $65,668 ten years out — $17,308/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 7.8 years and returns $211,392 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Woodbury University degree take to pay off?
About 7.8 years. We divide the $134,768 four-year net cost by the $17,308/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 Woodbury University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $33,692/yr — about $134,768 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Woodbury University compare to other California colleges?
It ranks #91 of 334 California colleges we track by payback. Its $65,668 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $33,692 net price is above the national median of $16,906.