At $15,702/yr net price, Emporia State University graduates earn $47,601/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,601/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,702 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $62,808 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,601/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,601/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,658/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,763/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,438/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,019/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,347/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $67,660 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $59,485 | $18,868 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $52,941 | $21,581 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $52,889 | $18,499 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Certificate | $50,856 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $50,439 | $18,862 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $47,260 | $24,237 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $46,300 | $16,026 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $45,435 | $12,963 |
The Risk Factor
54.3% of students at Emporia State 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
Emporia State gives you a moderate, low-risk financial return. Median debt of $19,500 sits below the median 10-year earnings of $47,601, so you're not borrowing more than a year's pay. The problem is the middle: a 54% graduation rate and a 67% retention rate mean roughly a third of first-year students don't come back, and leaving with debt but no degree is the real financial danger here.
Your major decides everything. Information Science pays the most at nearly $60,000 while carrying less debt than Nursing, making it the clearest win on this list. Nursing earns well but comes with the highest debt load of any top program at $21,581, so your payoff depends on finishing and landing a clinical job. Business, Accounting, and Human Resources all land in the low $40,000s or below, which is a thin return once you subtract four years of net price and lost wages. If you enroll in one of these and don't graduate, the math turns against you fast.
The net price tiers are the good news for lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay about $10,700 a year, well below the $15,702 sticker. Above $75,000, you pay closer to $18,000, and at that price the payoff of the sub-$45,000 business majors gets harder to justify.
This school fits you if you're targeting Information Science or Nursing, qualify for the lower net-price tiers, and are confident you'll graduate. Look elsewhere if you'd be full-pay for a general business or HR degree, or if you're unsure about finishing, because the completion odds and modest mid-tier salaries leave little room for error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emporia State University worth the money?
Emporia State University offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $15,702 and moderate debt levels around $19,500. However, the 54% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI for those who don't graduate.
What are the highest paying majors at Emporia State University?
Business Administration leads at $67,660 annually, followed by Information Science at $59,485. Nursing and Educational Administration both hover around $52,000, while Liberal Arts graduates earn about $50,856.
How much debt do Emporia State University graduates have?
The median debt is $19,500, which is manageable compared to many schools. With the school's 95% acceptance rate and lower academic barriers, this debt level is reasonable for most graduates who complete their degrees.
Do Emporia State University graduates get good jobs?
Graduates earn a median of $47,601 after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. The ROI depends heavily on your major, with business and tech programs offering better prospects than general studies.