Warren Wilson College
- Graduation Rate
- 42% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,260 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $21,249 D+
- 24% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 71% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $952,176.
What The Data Says
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A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 42% — 26% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Warren Wilson College Matters
Warren Wilson College is a private liberal arts college in Swannanoa, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 707
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, Social Sciences, English & Literature
Why students choose Warren Wilson 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
Competitive — admits about 71% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,249 a year after grants and scholarships — 24% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,260 ten years after enrolling — 11% below the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 93% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.50 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Warren Wilson College is an inviting option for students who appreciate a close-knit community and a hands-on learning approach. With an enrollment of 707 students and a 71% acceptance rate, it caters to those who are looking for an intimate educational environment. Here, students dive into areas like Biology, English, Business, Psychology, and Health Professions, blending academic rigor with practical experience, which is essential for building a strong foundation for their careers.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $36,260 ten years down the line. This figure provides a glimpse into the financial realities of life after college. Given the college's focus on experiential learning, many graduates may find themselves moving into impactful roles within their chosen fields. Affordability is another consideration; with 40% of students receiving Pell Grants, the college aims to support those from lower-income backgrounds as they transition to the workforce.
When we talk about the financial aspects, Warren Wilson has a net price of $21,249 after aid, which is manageable compared to many other private institutions. The median debt stands at $25,000, a figure that underscores the importance of careful financial planning. Students who thrive here typically value community engagement and hands-on learning, making the most of what this college has to offer while remaining financially responsible.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Warren Wilson College, located in Swannanoa, North Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,350. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- SAT Average
- 1350
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- ACT Range
- 25–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 69%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,280
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.40
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 905
- Admitted
- 760
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 Warren Wilson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Warren Wilson College is $41,500, 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 $21,249. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,566 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $41,500
- Out-of-State
- $41,500
- Avg Net Price
- $21,249
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 40%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 53%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,566
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,514
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,046
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,982
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Warren Wilson College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Warren Wilson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Warren Wilson College report median earnings of $36,260, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,723
- 8 Years
- $30,464
- 10 Years
- $36,260
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.69x
- Earning > $25K
- 31%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (79)
- 34%
- 100% (79)
- 34%
- 100% (79)
- 34%
- 100% (79)
- 34%
How Warren 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 Warren Wilson College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Warren Wilson College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,249/year ($84,996 total). Graduates earn $36,260 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,037,172 in total earnings — a net gain of $952,176 (12.2× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 42% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $84,996
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,037,172
- Net Return
- $952,176
- ROI Multiple
- 12.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,249
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
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 Warren Wilson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Warren Wilson 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 0.63%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $104,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.63%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $141,435
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,657,844
- Investment Income
- $-5,301,091
Top Programs
The fields Warren Wilson College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Biology & Biomedical 16% $21,051 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 12% $14,681 early-career
- Social Sciences 11%
- English & Literature 9%
- Psychology 7% $20,941 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 3%
- Business & Marketing 3% $33,980 early-career
- Health Professions 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Warren Wilson 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
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Warren Wilson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Warren Wilson College, located in Swannanoa, North Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,350. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Warren Wilson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Warren Wilson College is $41,500, 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 $21,249. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,566 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Warren Wilson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Warren Wilson College report median earnings of $36,260, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Warren Wilson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Warren Wilson 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 0.63%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $104,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 31% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Warren Wilson College.
- Emmanuel UniversityFranklin Springs, GA · Close peer38% grad $38,208 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Toccoa Falls CollegeToccoa Falls, GA · Close peer45% grad $36,630 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Herzing University-OrlandoWinter Park, FL · Close peer39% grad $36,909 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville, KY · Close peer34% grad $42,002 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Tougaloo CollegeTougaloo, MS · Close peer33% grad $34,724 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Chowan UniversityMurfreesboro, NC · Close peer29% grad $38,412 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 31% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note