At $22,144/yr net price, Anderson University graduates earn $48,899/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,899/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,144 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,576 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,899/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,899/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,260/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,931/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,975/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,204/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,576/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,238 | $31,107 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,035 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $38,829 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,529 | $26,851 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $29,524 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $27,000 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $32,382 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $27,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $28,055 | $27,094 |
The Risk Factor
49.4% of students at Anderson University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Anderson University gives you a mixed financial return that leans heavily on which major you pick. At roughly $22,000 a year net, you carry a real cost, and median earnings a decade out land just under $49,000. That gap only closes if you land in the right program and finish, which is far from guaranteed when fewer than half of students graduate.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays about $56,000 out the gate against the same $27,000 debt load everyone else carries, and it feeds directly into Indiana's steady hospital demand. Every other top program clusters near $38,000 to $39,000, meaning marketing, business, and the two teacher education tracks all leave you paying full price for earnings that barely move above the median. Teacher education in specific subject areas is the worst deal on the list, pairing the lowest pay with the highest debt at nearly $29,500.
Your biggest risk is not finishing. A 70% retention rate means nearly a third of first-year students leave, and a 49% grad rate means half of you never get the degree while the debt clock keeps running. Non-completers carry loans without the earnings bump to service them.
The net price tiers barely reward lower income here. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay over $19,000 a year, and the discount between the bottom and top brackets is only about $6,000. That flat structure hits lower-income families hardest.
Come here if you are committed to nursing and confident you will graduate. If you are drawn to business, marketing, or teaching, run the math carefully, since the payoff is thin against the cost. If you need aid to stretch far based on income, the pricing here does not bend much for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anderson University worth the cost for the money?
Anderson University's graduates earn $48,899 after 10 years, which is below average for the $22,144 annual cost. The 49% graduation rate means many students don't finish, making the investment risky.
What are the best paying majors at Anderson University?
Business Administration graduates earn the most at $65,238 annually, followed by nursing at $56,035. Education majors earn around $38,500, which may struggle to justify the debt load.
How much debt do Anderson University graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $27,000. With average starting salaries around $49,000, this creates a manageable but not ideal debt-to-income ratio.
Does Anderson University have good job placement after graduation?
The low 49% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. Business and nursing graduates see better earnings, but nearly half of students don't finish their degrees.