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Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, NC·Private nonprofit·720 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

78%
Accept
720
Students
$23,719
Net Price
43%
Grad Rate
$29,500
Earnings
10 yr
$9,500
Debt

About This School

Warren Wilson College is a private nonprofit institution located in Swannanoa, North Carolina with approximately 720 undergraduate students enrolled. Warren Wilson College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 78%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,719 per year. The graduation rate is 43%, and the typical graduate earns $29,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

Warren Wilson College (WWC) is a private liberal arts college in Swannanoa, North Carolina. It is known for its curriculum that combines academics, work, and service as every student must complete a required course of study, work an on-campus job, and perform community service. Warren Wilson requires students to work for the institution to graduate and is one of nine colleges in the Work Colleges Consortium.

The numbers tell a mixed story here — the required work-service-academics model is genuinely distinctive and helps explain why median debt at graduation is a remarkably low $9,500, but a 43% graduation rate and 70% freshman retention rate suggest a lot of students don't finish, which is a real concern worth exploring. Median earnings of $29,500 a decade out are modest, so this isn't the path for students prioritizing financial return. Worth considering if you're drawn to hands-on, community-rooted learning and are confident you'll thrive in a highly structured, small (720 students) environment — but talk honestly with current students about why so many leave.

Founded
1894
Setting
Fringe rural

Popular Programs

Biological Sciences14%
Psychology13%
Visual & Performing Arts13%
English11%
Business & Marketing6%
Social Sciences3%
Physical Sciences2%
Mathematics1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

James FrancoLewis PullmanDavid WeberDonaldas Kairys

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1290

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite27

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$40,290
Out-of-State Tuition
$40,290
Avg Net Price
$23,719
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants37%
Median debt at graduation$9,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
43%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
70%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$29,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$9,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$9,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$21,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$29,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.1x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White78%
Black5%
Hispanic/Latino7%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (720 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Warren Wilson College

701 Warren Wilson Rd

Swannanoa, NC 28778-2099

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in North Carolina

Browse all North Carolina schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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