Washington Adventist University (WAU)

Private nonprofit four-year university in Takoma Park, MD that costs an average of $23,303 a year after financial aid, admits 46% of applicants and graduates 42% of full-time students.

Net price / year
$23,303
Acceptance rate
46%
Graduation rate
42%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$61,426

Private nonprofitLarge suburb452 undergraduates

Cost of WAU

Total cost of attendance (per year)$40,225
Tuition and fees, in-state$26,604
Housing and food (on campus)$12,500
Books and supplies$2,500
Average net price after aid$23,303

Net price by family income

Family incomeAverage net price / year
$0–30,000$23,404
$30,001–48,000$19,138
$48,001–75,000$18,605
$75,001–110,000$16,230
$110,001+$27,975

Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with WAU's net price calculator ↗.

Admissions

Acceptance rate46%
Average SAT980
SAT reading (25th–75th percentile)450–580
SAT math (25th–75th percentile)410–550
Test scoresConsidered but not required

Graduation, earnings and debt

Graduation rate42%
First-year retention64%
Median earnings 6 years after enrolling$54,311
Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$61,426
Rank in Maryland (earnings)19th of 28 similar colleges
Median debt of graduates$28,685
Typical monthly loan payment$326 (10-year plan)
Students with Pell grants39%
Students with federal loans49%

Majors and programs at WAU

Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.

Bachelor's degree programs (39)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing75$73,895$30,250
Accounting and Related Services8——
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions13——
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology———
Biology18——
Business Administration, Management and Operations36——
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services———
Chemistry———
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology11——
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions1——
Communication and Media Studies3——
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other———
Computer and Information Sciences———
Computer Science5——
Education, Other———
English Language and Literature———
Health and Medical Administrative Services12——
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other8——
History———
Information Science/Studies3——
Journalism———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities22——
Mathematics———
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies———
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other———
Music6——
Physics———
Political Science and Government2——
Psychology13——
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions1——
Religion/Religious Studies3——
Religious Education———
Social Work———
Sociology———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness2——
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods4——
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas12——
Theological and Ministerial Studies4——

Associate's degree programs (8)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Accounting and Related Services———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions20——
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions———
Computer Science———
Engineering———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities6——
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods———

Master's degree programs (10)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Business Administration, Management and Operations18——
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology29——
Health and Medical Administrative Services10——
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities———
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other———
Psychology———
Public Administration———
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing3——
Student Counseling and Personnel Services6——
Theological and Ministerial Studies———

Similar colleges in Maryland

CollegeCityNet price / yrAcceptanceEarnings
St. John's CollegeAnnapolis$32,91755%$52,985
Capitol Technology UniversityLaurel$19,88174%$100,085
Notre Dame of Maryland UniversityBaltimore$17,29782%$69,464
Ner Israel Rabbinical CollegePikesville$3,52466%$68,364
Washington CollegeChestertown$27,99357%$74,001
Goucher CollegeBaltimore$23,16978%$59,069
Maryland Institute College of ArtBaltimore$42,07577%$49,751
Hood CollegeFrederick$21,54878%$60,061

All colleges in Maryland →

About WAU

TypePrivate nonprofit four-year university
LocationTakoma Park, MD
SettingLarge suburb
Undergraduates452
Student-to-faculty ratio9 to 1
AccreditorMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
Websitewau.edu ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is WAU's acceptance rate?

Washington Adventist University admits 46% of applicants, making it selective. Admitted students average 980 on the SAT.

How much does WAU cost per year?

The full cost of attendance is $40,225 a year (tuition and fees: $26,604). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $23,303 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $23,404.

How much do WAU graduates earn?

Former students earn a median of $61,426 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 19th of 28 similar colleges in Maryland. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($73,895 a year after graduation).

What is WAU's graduation rate?

42% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 64% of first-year students return for a second year.