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's financial return is mixed and leans weak. You'll pay over $22,000 a year net, but the typical graduate earns just over $47,000 a decade after enrolling. With median debt at $25,000, your monthly payments are manageable against that salary, but the salary itself sits low for a private college price tag.
Business Administration is the clear payoff here. It pays close to the school's overall median while carrying the same debt load, so you get earnings without extra borrowing. Marketing pays less but comes with lower debt, which softens the hit. The teaching and psychology paths are where the math turns against you. Teacher Education graduates earn under $40,000 while carrying $27,000 to $28,000 in debt , more debt than the business graduates take on, for less pay. Psychology is the worst combination on the list: earnings around $32,000 against $26,000 in debt. If you're set on teaching or psychology, know that you'll borrow more and earn less than the business students sitting next to you.
The specific risk at Cornerstone is a graduation rate near 62 percent. Roughly four in ten students don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no degree, none of these earnings figures apply to you. Retention above 83 percent is a better sign that first-year students stay.
The net price barely moves by income. A family under $30,000 pays about $17,000. a family over $110,000 pays around $25,000. That flat structure means lower-income families carry a heavy share of their income here, so scrutinize the aid offer closely.
Cornerstone fits you if you're heading into business and can finish in four years. If you're drawn to teaching or psychology, weigh a cheaper public option before committing.
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.