At $22,080/yr net price, Culver-Stockton College graduates earn $46,092/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,092/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,080 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,320 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,092/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,092/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,859/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,483/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,385/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,019/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,597/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 | $55,964 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,281 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $31,305 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $30,305 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $28,236 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,585 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
50.2% of students at Culver-Stockton College 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
Culver-Stockton's financial return is weak. Ten years out, the median graduate earns just over $46,000, while you take on $26,000 in debt to get there. That earnings figure barely clears what many jobs pay without a degree, and the private-college price tag makes the gap hard to justify unless you pick your major carefully.
Nursing is the one program that pays. At nearly $56,000, it out-earns every other major on campus by a wide margin and is the only path here that reliably covers the debt you'll carry. Business lands in the low $40,000s, which is workable but not strong for the cost. Everything below that is a financial problem. Criminal justice, teacher education, and health and physical education all pay in the high $20,000s to low $30,000s, yet criminal justice and teaching graduates leave with $27,000 in debt. Borrowing that much against a $30,000 salary is a bad trade.
The biggest risk here is completion. Only half of students graduate, and just 67 percent return after their first year. If you borrow, spend two or three years, and leave without a degree, you get the debt without the earnings. That risk is real for a third of the class, since about 36 percent qualify for Pell Grants.
Net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you'll pay around $16,900 a year. families over $110,000 pay about $24,600. That's a narrow $7,700 spread, so lower-income families get less relief here than at schools with steeper aid curves.
This school is a good fit if you're set on nursing and will finish. If you're headed toward teaching, criminal justice, or fitness, the salaries don't support the debt, and a cheaper public option would leave you better off financially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Culver-Stockton College worth the money?
With median earnings of $46,092 ten years after graduation and a net price of $22,080 annually, Culver-Stockton offers reasonable value compared to many private colleges. However, the 50% graduation rate means half of students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI for those who don't graduate.
What are the best paying majors at Culver-Stockton College?
Nursing programs offer the strongest return on investment at Culver-Stockton, with graduates earning around $55,964 annually. Business majors earn about $40,281, while education and fitness majors typically earn under $30,000, which may not justify the cost of attendance.
How much debt do Culver-Stockton College graduates have?
The median debt load is $26,000, which is manageable for nursing graduates but creates financial strain for lower-earning majors like education ($30,305) and fitness ($28,236). Students in these programs should carefully consider whether the debt is sustainable.
What is the graduation rate at Culver-Stockton College?
Only 50% of students graduate from Culver-Stockton College. This high dropout rate is a major red flag for ROI, as students who don't finish still carry debt without the degree needed to access higher-paying jobs.