At $10,896/yr net price, Christian Brothers University graduates earn $57,478/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,478/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,896 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,584 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,478/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,478/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,886/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,157/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,547/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,622/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,103/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $94,892 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $76,460 | $27,554 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $67,660 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,493 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $59,169 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $52,663 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $44,963 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $39,729 | $46,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,560 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $25,625 |
The Risk Factor
56.0% of students at Christian Brothers 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
Christian Brothers University gives you a solid financial return, but only if you pick the right major. At $10,896 a year net, this is one of the cheaper private nonprofits you'll find, and median earnings a decade out clear the debt load you'd carry. The gap between programs is what decides whether this school pays off for you.
Nursing and mechanical engineering are the two degrees that make the math work here. Both push graduate earnings into the mid-$60,000s, and mechanical engineering does it while keeping debt at the same $27,000 median the school reports overall. If you're aiming for one of these, CBU in Memphis puts you near a regional job market with hospitals and manufacturing that hire for exactly these skills.
The business and psychology programs are a different story. General business graduates earn under $40,000 while carrying $46,000 in debt, the highest debt figure on the list paired with weak pay. That combination is a bad deal. Psychology graduates earn around $26,000, which barely covers the loans you take out. Avoid these paths at CBU unless you have a concrete plan for graduate school or a specific employer lined up.
The financial risk here is finishing at all. A 56% graduation rate and 73% retention mean a real chance you leave with debt and no degree, which is the worst outcome. Weigh that before you enroll.
The net price tiers have a quirk worth catching: if your family earns under $30,000, you pay less than families in the $30,000-$75,000 range. Middle-income families actually pay the most here. If you're in that bracket, run your own aid numbers before committing.
CBU is a good fit for you if you're set on nursing or engineering and can finish on time. Look elsewhere if you're headed into psychology or general business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christian Brothers University worth the cost?
Christian Brothers University offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $10,896 per year and moderate debt levels around $27,000. However, the 56% graduation rate and $57,478 median earnings suggest mixed outcomes depending on your program choice.
What are the highest paying majors at Christian Brothers University?
Allied Health programs lead with $94,892 median earnings, followed by Business Administration at $76,460 and Nursing at $67,660. These programs significantly outperform the overall school median of $57,478.
How much student debt do Christian Brothers University graduates have?
Graduates typically carry $27,000 in debt, which is manageable compared to the national average. The debt-to-income ratio works out better for high-paying programs like Allied Health and Business than for lower-earning majors.
Does Christian Brothers University have a good graduation rate?
The 56% graduation rate at Christian Brothers University is below the national average for four-year colleges. This means nearly half of students don't complete their degree, which significantly impacts the school's overall ROI.