Wilberforce University
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker; 74% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Wilberforce University is a private nonprofit institution located in Wilberforce, Ohio with approximately 602 undergraduate students enrolled. Wilberforce University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 53%. The average net price after financial aid is $7,349 per year. The graduation rate is 16%, and the typical graduate earns $38,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Wilberforce University (WU) is a private university in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is one of three historically black universities established before the American Civil War. Founded in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC), it is named after English statesman and abolitionist William Wilberforce. In 1863, it was sold to the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), which had ties to the school since its inception. WU remains affiliated with the AME.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the remarkably low net price of $7,349/year and modest median debt of $12,000 make this one of the more affordable private university options available, and its history as one of the oldest HBCUs in the country gives it a meaningful sense of identity and mission. However, the 16% graduation rate is a serious concern — it means most students who start here don't finish, which is a risk any family should weigh carefully before enrolling. Worth considering if cost and HBCU affiliation are top priorities, but ask hard questions about on-campus support and what's being done to help students actually make it to graduation day.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
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
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (602 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
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.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- 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.
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