At $21,994/yr net price, Ashland University graduates earn $52,928/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,928/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,994 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,976 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,928/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,928/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,158/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,838/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,000/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,402/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,527/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,035 | $29,090 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Doctoral | $61,516 | |
| History. | Master | $58,221 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $56,776 | $22,323 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,513 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $51,607 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $51,482 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $51,482 | $18,512 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $45,735 | $18,514 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $44,635 | $18,400 |
The Risk Factor
60.6% of students at Ashland University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Ashland University gives you a middle-of-the-road financial return. You'll pay around $22,000 a year and leave with median debt of $25,000, then earn roughly $53,000 ten years out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and the 60.6% graduation rate means you have a real shot at finishing, but a 72% retention rate means more than a quarter of students don't come back after year one, so the risk of paying without a degree is real.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any program at Ashland and carries steady demand across Ohio hospitals and health systems, which makes the $25,000 debt for that degree easy to justify. Finance and business administration also land above the school's median earnings, so those pay off too. Marketing and health/physical education are weaker bets,both come in around $38,000 to $40,000 while carrying nearly the same debt load as business, so you'd borrow similar money for meaningfully lower pay.
The specific risk at Ashland is the flat net price curve. Families earning under $30,000 pay about $20,000, and families earning over $110,000 pay roughly $22,500,almost no difference. If your family income is low, you get very little price break, and $20,000 a year is a heavy lift on a small income. Higher-income families essentially pay sticker without much scaling either way.
Ashland fits you if you're headed into nursing, finance, or business and can graduate on time. Go in for marketing or physical education and the math gets shaky. If you're a low-income student expecting need-based pricing to soften the cost, look closely at other schools first, because Ashland's net price barely moves with income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland University worth the cost?
Ashland University's graduates earn $52,928 after 10 years, which is below average for a private university costing $22,000 annually. The return on investment is modest, with graduates typically needing 8-10 years to recover their education costs.
What are the best paying majors at Ashland University?
Business Administration leads earnings at $73,035 annually, followed by Theological Studies at $61,516. These programs offer the strongest financial returns, while the university's other majors typically produce below-average graduate earnings.
How much debt do Ashland University graduates have?
Ashland graduates leave with a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. With average starting earnings, this debt load represents about 6-8 months of gross income for most graduates.
Does Ashland University have good job placement after graduation?
The university's 60.6% graduation rate is concerning, meaning 4 out of 10 students don't finish their degree. This completion rate is below the national average and suggests academic or financial challenges for many students.