At $17,815/yr net price, Madonna University graduates earn $59,058/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,058/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,815 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $71,260 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,058/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,058/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,809/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,979/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,806/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,017/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,909/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. | Master | $95,591 | $50,187 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,066 | $24,943 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $52,941 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $41,342 | $13,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $24,550 |
| Legal Support Services. | Bachelor | $27,439 |
The Risk Factor
58.1% of students at Madonna 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
Madonna University gives you a solid financial return if you pick nursing, and a shaky one almost everywhere else. Median earnings ten years out land near $59,000, but that number is carried almost entirely by the nursing program, which pays right at the median while every other bachelor's program listed pays well below it.
Nursing is the clear payoff here. It pays roughly $59,000 against about $25,000 in debt, and it connects directly to metro Detroit's hospital systems where registered nurses are in steady demand. That debt-to-earnings ratio works.
The other programs are where you need to be careful. Criminal justice pays about $41,000, and business administration pays around $38,000 while loading you with nearly the same $24,550 in debt that nursing does. So you take on nursing-level debt for two-thirds of nursing pay. Legal support services is the worst deal on the list at roughly $27,000, near what you might earn without a four-year degree at all.
The specific risk at Madonna is that 42% of students don't graduate, and about 28% don't return after the first year. If you borrow for a business or legal support degree and then leave without finishing, you carry the debt with none of the earnings.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $10,800 a year. over $110,000, you pay closer to $22,000. That lower-income price makes nursing a genuinely affordable path to a nursing salary.
Come here for nursing, especially if your family income is under $48,000. Look elsewhere if you want business, criminal justice, or legal support services, where the debt stays high and the payoff doesn't follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madonna University worth the cost?
Madonna University's ROI depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn strong salaries that justify the cost, but other programs like business and criminal justice show weaker returns given the $23,000 median debt load.
What are the best paying majors at Madonna University?
Nursing programs at Madonna University offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $95,000 annually. Educational administration ($52,941) and criminal justice ($41,342) provide more modest returns.
How much debt do Madonna University students typically graduate with?
Madonna University students graduate with a median debt of $23,000. This is manageable for nursing majors who earn high salaries, but creates financial strain for graduates in lower-paying fields.
Does Madonna University have good job placement after graduation?
Madonna University's 58% graduation rate is below average, which raises concerns about student success. The school's nursing programs have strong career prospects, but outcomes vary significantly across other majors.