Courtesy of Wiberforce University
The nation’s first, private historically Black college/university (HBCU) shows great value in the official U. S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. These are metrics that give a perspective of how categorized colleges and universities rank.
Wilberforce University (Ohio) is graded among six other four year, private and public, historically Black colleges/universities (HBCUs) by enrollment, location (rural) and size.
The schools are: Cheyney State in Pennsylvania, Kentucky State, Central State University in Ohio, Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Harris Stowe University in Missouri, and Philander Smith in Arkansas.
The statistics show that 10 years after graduation, Wilberforce University was among the leaders in median earnings among students who received federal financial aid. And, Wilberforce has the second lowest median total debt after graduation. Of the top three schools with the highest graduation rate, Wilberforce is second among the seven that are “graded” on the scorecard.
“Many colleges have struggled during the pandemic to maintain quality,” said newly selected Wilberforce president, Dr. Vann R. Newkirk. “That is not the case with Wilberforce. This is evident in the salaries our students earn after graduation – which are among the highest for HBCUs nationwide.”
Wilberforce rising senior Alex Murphy began his freshman year during the fall of 2020, which was when the university reopened after closing earlier that year because of the COVID pandemic. Because Murphy qualifies for Pell grants, and Wilberforce and United Negro College Fund (UNCF) academic scholarships, by the time he graduates, his total out of pocket expense will be $4,000.
“I am extremely happy and proud that the student body attending Wilberforce has high quality education with low debt,” said Murphy, who is also the president of the Student Government Association. The Metro Detroit native said the university’s financial aid office actively assists students in finding dollars to help curb the $15, 949 annual cost.
“Our graduation rate is among the highest of our peers,” said President-select Newkirk. “I want to tell parents and students that if they are looking for a small university on a campus that is also high ranking in safety and security, and where they can obtain a quality education at an affordable price, look no further than Wilberforce University.”