At $27,477/yr net price, Benedictine College graduates earn $53,175/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,175/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,477 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $109,908 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,175/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,175/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,599 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,718/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,531/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,404/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,224/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,253/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $55,383 | $21,489 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $51,273 | $21,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $26,919 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $25,701 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,272 | $22,869 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $32,213 | $24,750 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $28,212 | |
| Journalism. | Bachelor | $25,774 |
The Risk Factor
65.1% of students at Benedictine College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 35% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Benedictine College gives you a solid, unspectacular financial return. You pay $27,477 a year, leave with about $24,599 in debt, and earn a median of $53,175 ten years out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and the 65% graduation rate plus 80% retention mean most students who enroll actually finish and start paying it down. This is a middle-of-the-road bet, not a risky one.
Nursing is the clear winner here. You earn the most and borrow the least of any program, so the payoff lands fast. Accounting follows closely with similar low debt. Finance pays less than accounting yet saddles you with more debt, so if you're choosing between the two business tracks, accounting is the smarter money. Marketing and business administration sit at the bottom around $42,682, and business administration carries the heaviest debt of any listed program at $27,000. Those two majors barely clear what a general degree earns, so think hard before borrowing full price for them.
The specific risk at Benedictine is major choice, not the school itself. Pick nursing or accounting and the math works. Pick marketing or general business and you pay the same tuition for meaningfully lower earnings.
The net price tiers are unusual: families earning under $48k pay less (around $21,500 to $22,700) than families in the $48-75k range ($23,404), and the top bracket over $110k pays the full $30,253. If your family earns under $48k, the aid makes this genuinely affordable. If you earn over $110k, you're paying close to sticker with no discount.
This school fits you if you're headed into nursing or accounting and value a small Catholic campus in rural Kansas. Look elsewhere if you want a general business degree at full price and expect a high starting salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benedictine College worth the cost?
Benedictine College graduates earn $53,175 ten years after graduation, which is modest for a school with a $27,477 annual net price. The nursing programs offer better returns at $55,383, but other majors like marketing ($42,682) may struggle to justify the cost.
What is the return on investment for Benedictine College degrees?
The ROI varies significantly by major at Benedictine College. Nursing and accounting graduates see reasonable returns, while business and marketing majors earn less than $43,000 annually, making debt repayment challenging.
How much debt do Benedictine College students graduate with?
Benedictine College graduates have a median debt of $24,599. With average earnings of $53,175, this debt load is manageable but leaves little room for error if graduates struggle to find employment.
Which Benedictine College programs have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Benedictine College offer the strongest career outcomes, with graduates earning $55,383 annually. The 65% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs, which impacts overall employment prospects.