Barton College
- Graduation Rate
- 48% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,913 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $23,626 D+
- 38% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 94% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,069,490.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $12.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Barton College Matters
Barton College is a private college in Wilson, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 982
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 61
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Barton College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 94% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,626 a year after grants and scholarships — 38% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,913 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $25,877 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 96% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.38 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 94%, Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina, is a solid choice for students seeking a supportive environment where they can explore their interests. The college is particularly well-suited for those drawn to fields like Health Professions, Business, Biology, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. It's a place where students can dive deep into their studies while also engaging in a community that values personal connections.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years out sit at $47,913, which gives a good indication of the potential return on investment for students. While the graduation rate is 48%, it's important to consider the diverse paths students take and that a college experience can lead to various opportunities. For many, this journey can be transformative, helping them to move up in their careers.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after aid is around $23,626, with a median debt of $25,877. This financial landscape suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students are managing their debt in a way that allows them to thrive. Barton College tends to appeal to those who are looking for a nurturing atmosphere and are ready to take on the challenges of higher education.
Rankings
- #11 Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina
- #14 Best Colleges for Cross-Class Networks
- #15 Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina
- #20 Best Communications Colleges in North Carolina
- #21 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #21 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina
- #22 Best Biology Colleges in North Carolina
- #28 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Barton College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Barton College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Wilson, North Carolina, Barton College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- Full-Time Faculty
- 98%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,671
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.63
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 2,129
- Admitted
- 2,014
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Barton College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Barton College is $37,250, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,626. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,641 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,877 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,250
- Out-of-State
- $37,250
- Avg Net Price
- $23,626
- Median Debt
- $25,877
- Pell Grant Rate
- 37%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 64%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,641
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,497
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,510
- Family Income $110K+
- $30,286
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Barton College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Barton College earn a median of $47,913, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,785
- 8 Years
- $44,419
- 10 Years
- $47,913
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (82)
- 44%
- 100% (82)
- 44%
- 100% (82)
- 44%
- 100% (82)
- 44%
How Barton Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Barton College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Barton College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,626/year ($94,504 total). Graduates earn $47,913 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,163,994 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,069,490 (12.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,877, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 48% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $94,504
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,163,994
- Net Return
- $1,069,490
- ROI Multiple
- 12.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,626
- Median Debt
- $25,877
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Barton College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Barton College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.54%, a more modest figure. About 7.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.54%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 7.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $87,500
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,660,748
- Investment Income
- $-4,206,971
Top Programs
The fields Barton College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 20%
- Business & Marketing 15%
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Psychology 5%
- Education 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Communications 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Barton College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Barton College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Wilson, North Carolina, Barton College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 94%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 20. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Barton College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Barton College is $37,250, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,626. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,641 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,877 in federal student loans.
Is Barton College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Barton College earn a median of $47,913, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Barton College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Barton College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.54%, a more modest figure. About 7.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Barton College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Barton College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.38, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.08), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Barton College.
- Wilmington CollegeWilmington, OH · Close peer51% grad $48,491 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Life UniversityMarietta, GA · Close peer36% grad $47,397 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Piedmont UniversityDemorest, GA · Close peer44% grad $49,130 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethel UniversityMishawaka, IN · Close peer55% grad $48,860 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rochester UniversityRochester Hills, MI · Close peer43% grad $48,707 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Anderson UniversityAnderson, IN · Close peer52% grad $48,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Barton College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Barton College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.38, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.08), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note