William Woods University
- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,401 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $26,569 D
- 55% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 71% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.7 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $8.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $816,976.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $8.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why William Woods University Matters
William Woods University is a private doctoral / professional university in Fulton, MO 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 Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 1,300
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 61
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Humanities, Education, Legal Studies
Why students choose William Woods University
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 $26,569 a year after grants and scholarships — 55% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,401 ten years after enrolling — 4% above the typical college, against $21,983 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 99% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 1,300 students, William Woods University is a solid choice for those looking for a supportive environment with a focus on personal growth. The acceptance rate of 71% means that we can see a diverse range of students here, many of whom are drawn to popular programs like Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, and Legal Studies. If you're looking for a place that values individual attention and community, this could be it.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $42,401 within ten years. That’s a solid starting point, especially when you consider the supportive networks that often come through smaller schools like this one. Affordability is also a significant factor, with 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, which helps lower the financial barrier for many. It’s encouraging to see that a degree from here can lead to upward mobility, although specific mobility rates weren't provided.
When we look at the practical aspects, the net price after aid is around $26,569, and students typically graduate with a median debt of about $21,983. This means that while there is a financial commitment, the debt load remains manageable for many. Students who thrive here often appreciate the close-knit community, the variety of programs available, and the opportunities for hands-on learning. If that sounds like your vibe, you might just find a home at William Woods.
Rankings
- #15 Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri
- #16 Best Business Colleges in Missouri
- #24 Best Biology Colleges in Missouri
- #31 Best Education Colleges in Missouri
- #34 Best Bachelor's Programs in Missouri
- #35 Best Online Colleges in Missouri
- #36 Best Online Bachelor's in English
- #36 Best Online Master's in English
Can I Get In?
How selective William Woods University 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 William Woods University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Fulton, Missouri, William Woods University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Retention Rate
- 58%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 35%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,707
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.64
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 1,487
- Admitted
- 914
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 William Woods University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at William Woods University is $30,340, 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 $26,569. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,014 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,983 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $30,340
- Out-of-State
- $30,340
- Avg Net Price
- $26,569
- Median Debt
- $21,983
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $24,014
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $22,967
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $24,218
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,428
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is William Woods University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of William Woods University report median earnings of $42,401, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,265
- 8 Years
- $42,138
- 10 Years
- $42,401
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.52x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (85)
- 45%
- 100% (85)
- 45%
- 100% (85)
- 45%
- 100% (85)
- 45%
How William 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 William Woods University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, William Woods University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $26,569/year ($106,276 total). Graduates earn $42,401 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $923,252 in total earnings — a net gain of $816,976 (8.7× your investment). The median debt is $21,983, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $106,276
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $923,252
- Net Return
- $816,976
- ROI Multiple
- 8.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $26,569
- Median Debt
- $21,983
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
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 William Woods University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
William Woods University 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 0.28%, a more modest figure. About 4.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 6.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.28%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 6.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $88,600
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,483,944
- Investment Income
- $-3,172,890
Top Programs
The fields William Woods University 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.
- Business & Marketing 34%
- Humanities 12%
- Education 5%
- Legal Studies 5%
- Psychology 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Computer Science & IT 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for William Woods University'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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into William Woods University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Fulton, Missouri, William Woods University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend William Woods University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at William Woods University is $30,340, 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 $26,569. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $24,014 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,983 in federal student loans.
Is William Woods University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of William Woods University report median earnings of $42,401, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does William Woods University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
William Woods University 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 0.28%, a more modest figure. About 4.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 6.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is William Woods University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at William Woods University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to William Woods University.
- Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Close peer51% grad $43,418 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods CollegeSaint Mary of the Woods, IN · Close peer49% grad $43,845 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Missouri Baptist UniversitySaint Louis, MO · Close peer48% grad $46,660 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar, MO · Close peer53% grad $43,112 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Converse UniversitySpartanburg, SC · Close peer54% grad $40,867 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of MobileMobile, AL · Close peer56% grad $43,611 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is William Woods University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at William Woods University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note