At $25,885/yr net price, Eastern University graduates earn $51,655/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,655/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,885 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,540 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,655/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,655/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.0% |
| 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 | $23,050/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,039/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,123/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,638/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,882/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $78,785 | $39,842 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,355 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $58,402 | $37,675 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $51,273 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $50,022 | |
| Education, Other. | Master | $47,930 | $19,373 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $26,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $45,852 | $57,683 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $41,193 |
The Risk Factor
56.0% of students at Eastern 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
Eastern University gives you a middling financial return. Median earnings ten years out land near $51,655, which sits above the debt you'd carry but doesn't leave much room after Saint Davids-area living costs. Median debt of $25,000 is manageable if you finish, but the 56% graduation rate means nearly half of you leave without the degree that justifies the price.
The nursing program is the clear winner. At $66,355, a nursing salary out-earns every other tracked major here by roughly $16,000 and covers its slightly higher debt load quickly. Accounting, marketing, and business administration cluster in the high $40,000s to $50,000 range, which pays back the debt but won't make you rich. Social work is the outlier you should think hard about: $32,711 in earnings against $26,750 in debt is close to a dollar of debt for every dollar of first-decade income advantage. If you want to do social work, borrow as little as possible.
Your biggest risk here is not finishing. With 70.59% retention, roughly three in ten of you don't return after year one, and dropping out with partial debt and no degree is the worst outcome. Pick nursing or business only if you're committed to completing it.
The net price tiers are unusually flat. If your family earns under $110k, you pay around $23,000 either way, so lower-income families get little extra discount. Above $110k, the price jumps to $32,882. Eastern is a reasonable fit if you're targeting nursing and can graduate. If you're eyeing social work or unsure of your major, the mixed payoff and completion odds should push you to compare cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eastern University worth the cost?
Eastern University's ROI depends heavily on your major. Health administration and nursing programs offer strong returns with salaries around $67,000-$79,000, but the overall median earnings of $52,000 against $26,000 in debt creates a modest payoff for most graduates.
What programs at Eastern University have the best job prospects?
Health and Medical Administrative Services leads with $78,785 median earnings, followed by nursing programs at $66,355. Business and education majors see lower returns around $50,000-$58,000, which barely justifies the cost.
How much debt do Eastern University students graduate with?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with only a 56% graduation rate, many students leave with debt but no degree.
Does Eastern University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $25,885 shows decent aid for a private university. Still, nearly half of students don't graduate, making the financial risk significant even with aid.