At $16,544/yr net price, Central State University graduates earn $33,267/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,544 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $66,176 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,267/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-733/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 25.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $30,739 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,607/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,661/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,187/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,211/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $31,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $28,133 | $31,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $28,055 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $27,476 | $30,599 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. | Bachelor | $25,967 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $31,000 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor | $21,508 | $31,000 |
The Risk Factor
25.6% of students at Central State 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
Central State University's financial return is weak. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings land at $33,267, and every listed bachelor's program pays even less than that. Criminal Justice and Corrections tops the program list at just over $30,000 a year, while a business degree here returns about $28,000. These are numbers below what many jobs pay without a four-year degree at all, and you'd carry roughly $30,000 in debt to reach them.
No major here clearly pays off. The gap between the best-paying program (Criminal Justice) and the lowest listed (Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies at under $26,000) is only about $4,400. Business, teacher education, biology, and criminal justice all cluster near $28,000, so your choice of major does little to change your financial outcome. Biology graduates earn less than $28,000 despite carrying similar debt, which is a poor return for a science degree.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only about half of first-year students return, and just over a quarter graduate. If you borrow and leave without a degree, you're stuck with the debt and none of the earning power. That combination of low completion and low earnings is the core problem here.
The net price also climbs as your family income rises. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $15,600. at $75,000 to $110,000, that jumps to over $21,000 a year for the same weak earnings outcome. This school makes the most financial sense if you come from a lower-income household, qualify for substantial grant aid, and are confident you'll finish. If you can borrow the same amount elsewhere for a program with stronger completion and earnings, look there first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central State University worth the cost?
Central State University has concerning ROI metrics with graduates earning $33,267 ten years after enrollment while carrying median debt of $30,739. The low 25.60% graduation rate means most students don't complete their degrees, making the investment risky for many.
What programs at Central State University have the best job prospects?
Criminal Justice graduates from Central State University earn the highest at $30,409 annually, followed by Business at $28,133. However, even the top-earning programs still produce relatively modest salaries compared to the debt load.
How much debt do Central State University graduates typically have?
Central State University graduates carry a median debt of $30,739, which is concerning given that typical graduate earnings of $33,267 leave little room for loan payments. The debt-to-income ratio suggests financial strain for many graduates.
What is the graduation rate at Central State University?
Only 25.60% of students graduate from Central State University, meaning three out of four students don't complete their degree. This extremely low completion rate significantly increases the risk of student debt without the benefit of a diploma.