At $25,321/yr net price, Ashford University graduates earn $35,404/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,404/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,321 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $101,284 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,404/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,404/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 72.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 8.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $31,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $25,193/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,745/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,377/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,812/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,097/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Business. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $26,497 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $28,109 |
| Sustainability Studies. | Bachelor | $61,516 | |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $38,365 |
| 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 |
The Risk Factor
8.8% of students at Ashford University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Ashford University's financial picture is bad. You pay about $25,000 a year, walk away with $31,250 in median debt, and the typical graduate earns $35,404 ten years out. That earnings figure barely clears what many people make without a four-year degree, and it sits far below the debt you take on to get there.
The two numbers that should stop you cold are the 8.8% graduation rate and the 30.65% retention rate. Roughly two of every three people who enroll don't come back for a second year, and fewer than one in ten finish. If you borrow to attend and then leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings upside. That is the core risk here, and it applies to almost everyone who walks in the door.
A few majors do pay off if you finish. International Business and Educational/Instructional Media Design graduates clear $63,005, and both carry debt under $30,000 that the earnings can justify. Business/Managerial Economics reaches $61,516 but comes with $38,365 in debt, a worse trade. Military Applied Sciences trails the others at $56,415. These are all bachelor-level outcomes, and they only matter if you're in the small share who graduate.
The net price tiers don't help you if you're low income. Families under $30,000 pay $25,193, nearly the same as families over $110,000. There's no meaningful price break for having less money, so the cost lands hardest on those who can least absorb a loss if you drop out.
This school makes financial sense only if you're certain you'll finish, you target International Business or Media Design, and you have a way to keep debt low. For everyone else, especially if paying full price out of a modest income, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashford University worth the cost?
Ashford University's ROI is poor, with graduates earning just $35,404 annually after paying $25,321 per year. The 8.8% graduation rate means most students don't finish their degree.
What is the average debt for Ashford University graduates?
Ashford University graduates carry a median debt of $31,250. With average earnings of $35,404, this creates a challenging debt-to-income ratio for most graduates.
Which Ashford University programs have the best job prospects?
International Business and Educational Media Design graduates earn around $63,005, significantly above the school average. Business Economics and Sustainability Studies also perform better at about $61,516.
Why is Ashford University's graduation rate so low?
Only 8.8% of Ashford University students graduate, one of the lowest rates nationally. This suggests many students struggle to complete their programs, often leaving with debt but no degree.