At $14,501/yr net price, Lander University graduates earn $42,396/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,396/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,501 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $58,004 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,396/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,396/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.8% |
| 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 | $11,868/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,130/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,297/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,757/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,836/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 | $56,189 | $26,609 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $40,467 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,122 | $25,191 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $37,568 | |
| Music. | Bachelor | $32,391 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $25,500 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $29,064 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $26,850 | $25,066 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,739 | $27,000 |
| History. | Bachelor | $26,739 | $19,250 |
The Risk Factor
48.8% of students at Lander 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
Lander University gives you a mixed financial picture that hinges almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns $42,396 ten years out against $25,000 in debt, which is manageable but not impressive for a degree that fewer than half of entering students finish.
Nursing is the clear win here. At $56,189, it earns nearly $18,000 more per year than any other program on this list, and the extra $1,600 or so in debt over the school median is easy to justify. If you come to Lander for nursing and finish, the return works.
Everything else is weaker. Business Administration and Computer Science both land in the high $37,000s while carrying roughly the same $25,000 debt load as nursing. Teacher Education sits lowest at $30,771 with a $25,500 debt bill, meaning you take on nursing-level debt for barely half the salary. Music at $32,391 is in the same soft range. Picking one of these majors means the numbers stop making sense.
The real risk at Lander is completion. A 48.8% graduation rate and a 68.62% retention rate mean a large share of students leave with debt and no degree, which is the worst financial outcome available. That risk applies to you regardless of major.
Net price runs lower if your family earns under $48k, around $11,000 to $12,000, and climbs past $17,000 if you earn over $110k. Lower-income families get the better deal here. Lander is a good financial fit if you enroll in nursing and are confident you'll graduate. If you're headed into teaching, music, or you're unsure you'll finish, look harder at the cost before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lander University worth the cost?
Lander University's ROI depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn $56,189 annually, making the $25,000 median debt manageable, but other programs like music ($32,391) offer weaker returns on investment.
What is Lander University's graduation rate and job prospects?
Lander has a 48.8% graduation rate, meaning about half of students don't finish their degree. Average earnings of $42,396 ten years after enrollment are below the national average for college graduates.
How much debt do Lander University graduates have?
The median debt at Lander is $25,000, which is reasonable compared to national averages. With nursing programs leading to $56,000+ salaries, debt is manageable for those majors, but riskier for lower-paying fields.
Which programs at Lander University have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Lander offer the strongest return on investment, with graduates earning over $56,000 annually. Education and business programs provide moderate returns around $38,000-$40,000, while music graduates face challenging job markets.