Warren Wilson College

Warren Wilson College is considered one of the few genuine work-study schools left in the country. Located in Swannanoa, North Carolina (affectionally nicknamed “Swannanowhere” by locals), Warren Wilson College has a heavy emphasis on environmental studies and natural resources. Students at Warren Wilson spend time between learning in the classroom, working on the college’s large swaths of farming land in the Appalachian Mountains, and performing acts of community service.

The purpose of a work-study program is to help financially limited students who commit to working a certain number of hours each semester in order to cover part of their tuition costs. But tuition is steep, and potential jobs after graduation don’t quite make up for the loss of four years. Tuition comes out to $184,000 over four years, and the resulting ROI is -$15,400.