At $23,169/yr net price, Morningside University graduates earn $55,494/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,494/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,169 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $92,676 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,494/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,494/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,028 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,667/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,418/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,086/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,653/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,258/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 | $58,479 | $27,726 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $55,806 | $7,400 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $52,843 | $5,639 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,728 | $25,875 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $40,179 | $28,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,523 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $38,906 | $26,478 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $28,019 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $27,669 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
52.8% of students at Morningside 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
Morningside University gives you a mixed financial return that leans heavily on which major you pick. The median graduate earns around $55,500 ten years out while carrying about $26,000 in debt, so the typical outcome is manageable but not generous. That median hides a wide gap between programs, and the gap is the whole story here.
Nursing is the program that pays off. At roughly $58,500 a year, it earns nearly $18,000 more than teacher education graduates, and Sioux City's hospital and regional health systems give you a real local market to work in. The debt load for nursing is slightly higher than average, but the earnings cover it.
The teaching and business programs are where the math gets hard. Both education tracks land near $40,000 while still leaving you with $26,000 to $28,000 in debt. Business management graduates and biology majors sit in the same range. You take on nearly the same debt as a nurse for two-thirds of the pay. If teaching in Iowa is your goal, know that going in.
The specific risk here is completion. Only about 69% of freshmen return for a second year, and roughly half of students finish. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome at any school, and those odds are real at Morningside. Borrow assuming you might not finish on schedule.
The net price barely moves across income levels. A family under $30,000 pays about $20,700. a family over $110,000 pays about $25,300. That $4,600 spread is small, so lower-income families here don't get the steep discounts some private schools offer.
Morningside fits you if you're set on nursing or health care in the Sioux City region. If you want to teach or study business, run the numbers against a cheaper public option before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morningside University worth the cost?
Morningside University's return on investment varies significantly by program. Nursing graduates earn around $58,479 annually, which justifies the $23,169 yearly cost, but education majors starting at $40,000-$55,000 face a tougher financial picture with $26,028 in typical debt.
What are the best paying majors at Morningside University?
Nursing programs offer the strongest earning potential at Morningside University, with graduates earning $58,479 annually. Education majors earn considerably less, ranging from $40,179 to $55,806 depending on specialization.
How much debt do Morningside University graduates typically have?
Morningside University graduates carry a median debt of $26,028. With 10-year earnings averaging $55,494, most graduates can manage this debt load, though education majors may struggle more than nursing graduates.
What is Morningside University's graduation rate and job prospects?
Only 52.80% of students graduate from Morningside University, which is below average for four-year colleges. The school's 70% acceptance rate suggests less selective admissions, and job prospects depend heavily on choosing high-demand programs like nursing.