At $18,992/yr net price, Aurora University graduates earn $58,709/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,709/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,992 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,968 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,709/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,709/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,318 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,980/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,079/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,984/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,070/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,042/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $111,435 | $50,408 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $86,375 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $67,101 | $23,641 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $66,941 | $27,588 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,238 | $30,785 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,661 | $22,654 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. | Master | $52,464 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $50,439 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $50,105 | |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $50,105 | $20,505 |
The Risk Factor
58.3% of students at Aurora 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
Aurora University gives you a solid but modest financial return. Median earnings ten years out land near $59k, and median debt of about $20k stays below what a single year of median earnings can cover. That ratio is the good news: you're not borrowing more than your degree pays back in a year.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $16k more per year than marketing, the lowest-earning program on the list, and that gap holds even though nursing grads carry a few thousand more in debt. If you come to Aurora for nursing, the math works. The business cluster,general business, finance, accounting, marketing,all sits in the $46k to $50k range, which is decent for the Chicago suburbs but nothing that separates itself from a cheaper public alternative.
The financial risk is the graduation rate. At 58%, more than four in ten students don't finish in the expected window, and a 78% retention rate means some leave after year one. If you borrow and don't graduate, you carry the debt without the earnings bump. That's the scenario to avoid.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. Under $48k, you pay around $14k a year. Cross $75k and the price jumps to $22k, then $25k above $110k,a nearly $11k annual gap between the lowest and highest brackets. If your family earns above $110k, you're paying close to sticker, and the business programs may not justify that over an in-state public option.
Aurora fits you best if you're going into nursing or if your family income keeps net price near $14k. If you want a business degree and would pay top-tier price, compare the cost against Illinois publics before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora University worth the cost?
Aurora University's ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Education administration graduates earn strong salaries ($111,435), but the overall 10-year median earnings of $58,709 are modest for the net cost. With a 58% graduation rate, completion risk is a real concern.
What are the best paying majors at Aurora University?
Educational administration leads Aurora University's earnings at $111,435 annually, followed by curriculum and instruction at $86,375. Business and psychology programs show lower returns around $65,000-67,000, which barely justify the investment.
How much debt do Aurora University graduates have?
Aurora University graduates carry a median debt of $20,318, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with median earnings of $58,709, debt-to-income ratios can still strain budgets for lower-paying program graduates.
Should I attend Aurora University or go somewhere cheaper?
Aurora University makes financial sense mainly for education administration students who can expect strong salaries. For other programs, the $19,000 annual net price may not provide better career outcomes than less expensive state schools with similar admission standards.