Wright State University-Main Campus
- Graduation Rate
- 44% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,500 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,415 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $19.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,137,188.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 21% above the national college median.
-
Graduation of 44% — 23% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $19.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Wright State University Matters
Wright State University-Main Campus is a public research university in Dayton, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and 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
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 6,762
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, Health Professions
Why students choose Wright State 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
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,415 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,500 ten years after enrolling — 21% above the typical college, against $22,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.39 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 96%, Wright State University-Main Campus is an inviting option for students seeking a supportive environment to pursue their education. It's a good fit for those interested in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, Engineering, and Education. The focus here is on practical skills and career readiness, making it an appealing choice for students ready to dive into their fields.
After graduation, students from Wright State can expect to earn around $49,500 within ten years. This figure indicates that graduates are finding their footing in the job market, which is promising. The affordability factor also plays a crucial role; the net price after aid is approximately $15,415, making it accessible for many families. While the graduation rate stands at 44%, many students do manage to successfully transition to the workforce, which speaks to the university's commitment to student success.
Looking at the financial side, the median debt for graduates is $22,750, which is manageable for many. Students who thrive here tend to be those who seek a balance between academic pursuits and real-world application. With a diverse student body and a focus on practical experience, Wright State is a place where many can find their path and build a solid foundation for their future.
Rankings
- #19 Best Engineering Colleges in Ohio
- #29 Best Computer Science Colleges in Ohio
- #29 Best Data Science Colleges in Ohio
- #41 Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio
- #42 Best Education Colleges in Ohio
- #42 Best Biology Colleges in Ohio
- #43 Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio
- #46 Highest-Yield Colleges (Most-Loved)
Can I Get In?
How selective Wright State University-Main Campus 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 Wright State University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Wright State University-Main Campus, located in Dayton, Ohio, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 21. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 57%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,222
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.52
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 7,162
- Admitted
- 6,820
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Wright State University-Main Campus is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 43% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 43%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 2%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 81%
- of enrolled freshmen
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 Wright State University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Wright State University-Main Campus is $21,222, 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 $15,415. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,952 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,522
- Out-of-State
- $21,222
- Avg Net Price
- $15,415
- Median Debt
- $22,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,952
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,631
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,501
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,720
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 Wright State University-Main Campus — 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 Wright State University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Wright State University-Main Campus earn a median of $49,500, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,229
- 8 Years
- $46,058
- 10 Years
- $49,500
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.46x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (592)
- 26%
- 100% (592)
- 26%
- 100% (592)
- 26%
- 100% (592)
- 26%
How Wright Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Wright State University-Main Campus Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Wright State University-Main Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,415/year ($61,660 total). Graduates earn $49,500 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,198,848 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,137,188 (19.4× your investment). The median debt is $22,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $61,660
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,198,848
- Net Return
- $1,137,188
- ROI Multiple
- 19.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,415
- Median Debt
- $22,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-1,553,648
Top Programs
The fields Wright State University-Main Campus 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.
- Business & Marketing 24% $58,592 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 9% $71,406 early-career
- Psychology 9% $35,072 early-career
- Health Professions 8% $69,502 early-career
- Engineering 8% $76,409 early-career
- Education 8% $44,210 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $30,854 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $38,360 early-career
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 Wright State University-Main Campus'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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Wright State University-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Wright State University-Main Campus, located in Dayton, Ohio, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 21. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Wright State University-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Wright State University-Main Campus is $21,222, 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 $15,415. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,952 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,750 in federal student loans.
Is Wright State University-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Wright State University-Main Campus earn a median of $49,500, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Wright State University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Wright State University-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.39, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Wright State University-Main Campus offer Early Decision?
No. Wright State University-Main Campus does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Wright State University-Main Campus really test-optional?
Wright State University-Main Campus reports test-optional admission, but most enrolled students still submit scores: about 83% of first-year students sent an SAT or ACT (2024-25 Common Data Set). Submitting strong scores is the norm here.
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Wright State University-Main Campus?
About 43% of admitted students choose to enroll at Wright State University-Main Campus — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Wright State University-Main Campus.
- Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, PA · Close peer54% grad $51,019 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY · Close peer48% grad $45,036 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of MontanaMissoula, MT · Close peer47% grad $44,511 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX · Close peer53% grad $49,634 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- West Texas A & M UniversityCanyon, TX · Close peer51% grad $50,741 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point, WI · Close peer53% grad $52,021 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Wright State University-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Wright State University-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.39, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note