Wooster, OH · Private · 1,730 undergraduates · town
The College of Wooster
Moderately selective
A required, yearlong I.S. capstone completed individually with a faculty mentor is the defining academic experience for every graduate.
Institutional profile
Well established Solid in academic standing, and solid in career outcomes.- Admission
- 54.3% admitted
- Price by income
- Varies across five income ranges
- Completion
- 75.8%
7,031 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$59,629 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets The College of Wooster apart
Academic design
Research preparation begins with a small first-year seminar and develops through the major before the senior I.S. capstone. The final project may be a thesis, scientific investigation, creative work, performance, or applied project, but all students must produce substantial original work.
Campus pattern
The I.S. capstone becomes a shared campus experience rather than an isolated honors option. Seniors receive dedicated study space, I.S. Monday marks project submission, and the Senior Research Symposium brings work into public view.
Defining feature
A required, yearlong I.S. capstone completed individually with a faculty mentor is the defining academic experience for every graduate.
Can I get in?
54.3% admitted
Start with academic preparation, then show why this particular academic and campus environment fits you.
Recent applicant pool
7,031About 54 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 26% submitted an SAT, and 24% submitted an ACT. Submission rates alone do not settle the choice. Submit a score if it strengthens the application.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for The College of Wooster, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What The College of Wooster weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
Research preparation begins with a small first-year seminar and develops through the major before the senior I.S. capstone. The final project may be a thesis, scientific investigation, creative work, performance, or applied project, but all students must produce substantial original work.
Make the fit specific
Students who want close faculty guidance and are excited by the prospect of owning a long, difficult research or creative project before graduation.
Account for the tradeoff
Because the senior capstone is universal rather than optional, students who dislike sustained self-directed work cannot simply avoid a thesis-like experience.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Build the calendar around the earliest realistic application round and make the school-specific case concrete.
Check eligibility for a fee waiver
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at The College of Wooster
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
A required, yearlong I.S. capstone completed individually with a faculty mentor is the defining academic experience for every graduate.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Political Science and Government
Research and Experimental Psychology
Biology, General
Communication and Media Studies
Computer Science
What is campus life like?
The College of Wooster beyond the classroom
The I.S. capstone becomes a shared campus experience rather than an isolated honors option. Seniors receive dedicated study space, I.S. Monday marks project submission, and the Senior Research Symposium brings work into public view.
A defining academic feature
Research preparation begins with a small first-year seminar and develops through the major before the senior I.S. capstone. The final project may be a thesis, scientific investigation, creative work, performance, or applied project, but all students must produce substantial original work.
What shapes an ordinary week
The I.S. capstone becomes a shared campus experience rather than an isolated honors option. Seniors receive dedicated study space, I.S. Monday marks project submission, and the Senior Research Symposium brings work into public view.
What changes the experience
A required, yearlong I.S. capstone completed individually with a faculty mentor is the defining academic experience for every graduate.