At $22,384/yr net price, Cornerstone University graduates earn $47,314/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,314/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,384 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $89,536 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,314/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,314/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.6% |
| 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 | $17,129/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,158/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,507/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,345/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,522/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $64,493 | $34,635 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,924 | $25,000 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $40,574 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $40,485 | $20,616 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $38,289 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $28,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $34,704 | $27,250 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $32,162 | $25,957 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $31,305 | $45,100 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
61.6% of students at Cornerstone University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Cornerstone University delivers below-average financial returns for most students, with median earnings of $47,314 ten years after graduation falling short of what you need to comfortably service typical student debt loads.
Business programs offer your best shot at strong ROI, with some management tracks reaching $64,493 in median earnings. However, debt loads for these programs can climb to $34,635, creating a precarious balance between earning potential and monthly payments. Marketing majors fare better with lower debt at $20,616 but earn just $40,485, which barely covers loan payments and living expenses.
The biggest financial risk here is choosing ministry or education programs. Theological studies graduates earn $40,574 while education majors make $38,289, both well below what most financial advisors recommend for comfortable debt repayment. These programs make sense only if you have substantial family support or plan to pursue loan forgiveness programs.
This school works financially if you can target business programs and keep debt below $25,000 through merit aid or family contributions. The 83.75% retention rate suggests students generally like the experience, but the 61.60% graduation rate means financial risk extends beyond just program choice.
With only 29.73% of students receiving aid, merit scholarships appear limited. You should have a clear path to graduation and realistic earnings expectations before enrolling. If you need significant financial aid or want stronger earning potential, larger public universities in Michigan offer better value propositions for most career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cornerstone University worth the cost?
Cornerstone University's ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Business administration graduates earn $64,493 after 10 years, making the $22,384 annual cost reasonable, but other programs like education and ministry have much lower earning potential.
What programs at Cornerstone University have the best return on investment?
Business administration and management programs offer the strongest ROI at Cornerstone, with graduates earning over $60,000 annually. Theology and education programs earn significantly less, around $38,000-40,000 per year.
How much student debt do Cornerstone University graduates have?
Cornerstone graduates typically leave with $25,000 in debt, which is manageable for business majors but creates financial stress for lower-earning programs like ministry and education.
Does Cornerstone University have good job placement rates?
With a 61.6% graduation rate, Cornerstone struggles to get students to finish their degrees. The school doesn't publish specific job placement data, which makes evaluating career outcomes difficult.