At $23,369/yr net price, Kansas Wesleyan University graduates earn $51,152/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,152/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,369 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $93,476 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,152/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,152/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,098/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,369/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,994/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,583/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,027/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 | $46,087 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,560 | $26,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
38.5% of students at Kansas Wesleyan University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Kansas Wesleyan University gives you a moderate financial return with real risk attached to whether you actually finish. Median earnings ten years out land at $51,152, which clears the roughly $23,000 in median debt you'd carry. That math works if you graduate. The 38.5% graduation rate and 59.83% retention rate mean many students leave, and if you leave with loans and no degree, the numbers stop working entirely.
Your major matters more than at most schools. Nursing is the clear payoff here, with graduates earning around $46,000 and carrying manageable debt. Salina and the surrounding region hire nurses steadily, so that degree connects to actual local jobs. Teacher education pays less, around $36,560, and comes with the highest debt of any listed program at $26,250, so you'd graduate owing more than a nurse while earning about $10,000 less. Health and Physical Education is the weakest option, with graduates earning around $25,194, barely above what you could make without a degree. Avoid it as a financial bet.
The specific risk here is dropout debt. With almost four in ten students not returning after year one, the average price masks a real chance you pay for a year or two and walk away without the credential that justifies it.
The net price tiers barely reward lower income. Families earning under $30,000 still pay over $19,000 a year, and the discount for low income is thin compared to many private schools. Families over $110,000 pay the most at about $26,000.
This school fits you if you're set on nursing and committed to finishing. If you're undecided, drawn to the fitness or education tracks, or unsure you'll stay enrolled, the debt risk outweighs the return, and a cheaper public option makes more sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas Wesleyan University worth the cost?
Kansas Wesleyan's return on investment is mixed, with graduates earning $51,152 after 10 years against a net price of $23,369 annually. The low 38.5% graduation rate means many students don't complete their degrees, making the investment risky.
What are the best paying majors at Kansas Wesleyan University?
Nursing programs offer the strongest financial returns at Kansas Wesleyan, with graduates earning around $46,087. Education majors earn significantly less at $36,560, while health and fitness graduates average just $25,194.
How much debt do Kansas Wesleyan University graduates have?
Kansas Wesleyan graduates carry a median debt of $23,250. Given the 10-year earnings of $51,152, this debt level is manageable for those who complete their degrees, but the low graduation rate increases default risk.
What is the graduation rate at Kansas Wesleyan University?
Only 38.5% of students graduate from Kansas Wesleyan University. This low completion rate means most students leave without a degree but may still carry debt from their time enrolled.