At $20,473/yr net price, ECPI University graduates earn $42,837/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,837/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,473 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $81,892 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,837/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,837/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,272/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,544/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,806/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,253/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,669/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 | $71,015 | $18,750 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $66,821 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $55,430 | $27,977 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $52,663 | $33,106 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $49,660 | $31,430 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,266 | $22,430 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $44,728 | $32,477 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $44,221 | $35,701 |
| Computer Programming. | Bachelor | $43,054 | $35,500 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $42,682 | $20,824 |
The Risk Factor
44.7% of students at ECPI 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
ECPI University delivers poor financial returns for most students, with median earnings of just $42,837 ten years after graduation despite charging over $20,000 annually. The school's 44.7% graduation rate means more than half of students never finish their degree, creating significant financial risk.
Nursing programs represent the only clear financial winners at ECPI, with graduates earning $71,015 and carrying manageable debt loads around $18,750. Computer science also shows promise at $66,821 in median earnings. However, most other programs fail to justify their costs. Computer engineering technology graduates earn $52,663 while carrying $33,106 in debt, creating a problematic debt-to-income ratio.
The school's 53% retention rate signals serious academic and financial challenges. You face a coin-flip chance of completing your program, and dropping out with debt represents the worst possible outcome. ECPI's for-profit structure typically means limited financial aid compared to traditional colleges, though nearly half of students receive some assistance.
ECPI makes financial sense only if you can secure admission to nursing or computer science programs and have strong confidence in your ability to graduate. The accelerated format appeals to working adults seeking quick career changes, but the condensed timeline increases dropout risk. You should avoid ECPI for any program outside nursing or tech, where job market demand in Virginia Beach and surrounding areas cannot support the debt levels graduates typically carry.
Consider community college alternatives for technical training or state universities for four-year degrees, both offering better graduation rates and lower costs than ECPI's high-risk, high-cost model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ECPI University worth the cost?
ECPI University's value depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing and computer science graduates earn $55,000-$71,000, making the $20,473 annual cost reasonable, but other programs may not justify the expense given the 45% graduation rate.
What is the return on investment for ECPI University degrees?
ECPI University graduates earn a median of $42,837 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for the cost. The strongest ROI comes from nursing programs ($55,000-$71,000) and computer science ($66,821), while other fields show weaker returns.
How much debt do ECPI University students typically graduate with?
ECPI University students graduate with a median debt of $20,000. This is manageable for nursing and computer science majors who earn $55,000-$71,000, but potentially problematic for graduates in lower-paying fields.
Which ECPI University programs offer the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at ECPI University lead to the highest earnings at $55,430-$71,015, followed by computer science at $66,821. Technology programs like computer engineering and electromechanical instrumentation pay $49,660-$52,663.