At $11,882/yr net price, Midwestern State University graduates earn $55,747/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,747/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,882 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,528 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,747/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,747/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,030 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,575/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,990/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,235/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,458/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,593/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 | $119,061 | $31,545 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $91,744 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,631 | $20,392 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $19,349 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $59,124 | $22,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $57,755 | $17,064 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $31,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,107 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $48,139 | $28,493 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $46,478 |
The Risk Factor
41.3% of students at Midwestern 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
Midwestern State University gives you a solid financial return for a modest price. At under $12,000 a year net, your median debt at graduation stays close to a single year's cost, and median earnings ten years out clear that debt several times over. The math works in your favor here, but the payoff depends heavily on what you study and whether you finish.
Health fields carry this school. Nursing is the clear winner, paying the most while keeping debt around one year of net price. Dental support and allied health diagnostic programs land right behind, and the allied health path stands out because it pairs strong pay with the lowest debt of any top program listed. If your goal is a health credential, MSU is a low-risk bet.
Engineering and computer science tell a more mixed story. Mechanical engineering pays well, but you take on roughly $31,000 in debt to get there , about 50% more than a nursing graduate carries. Computer science pays the least of the top five programs, so weigh that before assuming a tech degree here maximizes your return.
The real risk at MSU is finishing at all. Only 41% of students graduate, and 37% don't return after their first year. If you drop out, you keep the debt without the earnings, which flips the whole calculation against you. Your ability to complete matters more than your major.
The price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay under $10,000 a year. Above $75,000, your net price jumps by more than $6,000 and keeps climbing. If your family earns over $110,000, run the numbers against your in-state alternatives, because much of MSU's price advantage disappears at that level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Midwestern State University worth the cost?
Midwestern State University offers reasonable value with a low net price of $11,882 and manageable debt levels around $21,000. However, the 41% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $55,747 after 10 years are modest for college graduates.
What are the best paying majors at Midwestern State University?
Nursing programs lead earnings at Midwestern State University, with some graduates earning over $119,000. Health administration and dental support services also pay well above the school average, while business graduates earn around $59,000.
How much debt do Midwestern State University graduates have?
Midwestern State University graduates carry a median debt of $21,030, which is manageable compared to national averages. The low net price of under $12,000 per year helps keep borrowing reasonable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Midwestern State University?
Only 41% of students graduate from Midwestern State University within six years. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor that prospective students should consider when evaluating the school's value.