At $18,553/yr net price, Dillard University graduates earn $39,196/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,196/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,553 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $74,212 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,196/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,196/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 14.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $31,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,801/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,532/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,888/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,306/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,604/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 | $59,253 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,960 | $34,741 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor | $26,037 | $31,062 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $22,771 | $31,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $34,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $29,000 |
The Risk Factor
45.1% of students at Dillard 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
Dillard's financial return is mixed, and which major you pick decides everything. Median earnings ten years out sit below what you'd want against $31,000 in median debt, so the degree alone doesn't guarantee a payoff. The gap between programs here is wide enough that two students can leave with the same debt and completely different outcomes.
Nursing is the clear winner. At roughly $59,000, it earns nearly double what accounting graduates make and pulls far ahead of everything else on the list. That fits New Orleans, where hospital systems keep steady demand for nurses. If you come to Dillard for nursing, the math works.
The rest is harder to justify financially. Accounting, sociology, psychology, and public health all land in the high-$20,000s to low-$30,000s. Psychology graduates carry the heaviest debt on the list against some of the lowest pay, which is a bad trade. Public health follows a similar pattern. Choosing one of these majors means your debt outpaces your early earnings for years.
The specific risk here is completion. With a 45% graduation rate and under 70% of freshmen returning, roughly a third of students leave. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and those odds are real at Dillard.
Look at the net price tiers before you commit. Families earning under $30,000 pay about the same as families earning over $110,000, and the $48,000-$110,000 range actually pays the most. Middle-income families get the weakest deal here, so run your own aid numbers carefully.
Dillard is a strong financial fit if you're set on nursing. If you're drawn to the social sciences, price out the debt against those earnings first, or look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dillard University worth the cost for the salary you'll earn?
Dillard graduates earn a median of $39,196 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $18,553 per year and typical debt of $31,000, the financial return is modest unless you pursue nursing, which pays significantly better at $59,253.
What are the best paying majors at Dillard University?
Nursing programs at Dillard University offer the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning around $59,253 annually. Other majors like accounting ($33,993), sociology ($29,685), and psychology ($28,960) provide much lower earnings that may not justify the cost.
How much debt do Dillard University students typically graduate with?
Dillard University students graduate with a median debt of $31,000. Given that most graduates earn around $39,196 annually, this debt load represents a significant portion of early career income for non-nursing majors.
Does Dillard University have good graduation rates?
Dillard University has a 45% graduation rate, meaning more than half of students who start don't finish their degree. This low completion rate increases the financial risk, especially for students taking on debt to attend.