Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 9.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 8.8%
- Retention Rate
- 30.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $35,404
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $31,250
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 24.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $331/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $28,109 |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $26,497 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $38,365 |
| Sustainability Studies. | Bachelor | $61,516 | |
| Military Applied Sciences. | Bachelor | $56,415 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $51,179 | $41,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $50,149 | $37,741 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $48,911 | $34,370 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $45,618 | $29,813 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $45,328 | $41,000 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies. | Bachelor | $45,128 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $43,872 | $41,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $43,272 | $36,139 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $42,355 | $32,813 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $40,265 | $31,380 |
Outcomes Overview
Ashford graduates face challenging financial realities after earning their degrees. With median debt of $31,250 and median earnings of $35,404 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio hits 88 percent. Monthly loan payments of $331 consume about 11 percent of typical graduate income. Only 25 percent of borrowers successfully repay their loans. The employment rate reaches 90 percent, but many graduates work in lower-paying service sectors rather than professional careers that justify the educational investment. For-profit online universities typically struggle with employer recognition compared to traditional institutions. Given the high debt burden, low graduation rates, and modest earnings outcomes, this represents a weak return on investment for most students.