True College Verdict
F

Edward Waters University

Jacksonville, FL · 1,087 undergraduates · 67% receive Pell Grants · admits 85%
Private nonprofitMainly bachelor's degreesHBCU

Among the weakest of its kind. Look at alternatives before enrolling. It ranks 1,706 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 15.9 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
Yes
Average net price $13,748 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $19,899.
Will most students finish?
No
26% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 59%.
Is it worth the price?
Mixed
Graduates owe a typical $25,801 against earnings of $37,946, a ratio of 0.68. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

What do students really think?

You have seen the federal numbers for Edward Waters University. Now hear from people who went there, or add your own experience. Anonymous, no account.

Would you choose it again? That is the first question the rating form asks.

Why it is good

  • Affordable: the average student pays about $13,748 a year after grants, cheaper than 76% of four-year colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Only 26% of students graduate. 94% of four-year colleges do better.
  • It falls short of expectations: it graduates 17 points fewer students than is typical for a college enrolling the same share of low-income students (26% against an expected 43%; the estimate is rough, with a typical error of about 16 points).
  • Many students leave early: only 54% of first-year students return for a second year.
  • Low pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $37,946, lower than 95% of four-year colleges.
  • Debt is heavy for the pay: graduates owe a typical $25,801 in federal loans against earnings of $37,946.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
26%
Better than 6% of similar colleges. Typical: 59%
Return for year 2
54%
Better than 8% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$37,946
Better than 5% of similar colleges. Typical: $58,912
Debt at graduation
$25,801
Better than 5% of similar colleges. Typical: $21,609
Net price per year
$13,748
Better than 76% of similar colleges. Typical: $19,899
Published tuition
$16,366
Before any aid

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Read and write anonymous student reviews for Edward Waters University, or ask and answer questions about it. Other sources:

Compare with other colleges Estimate your cost

The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.