At $21,812/yr net price, Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates earn $49,555/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,555/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,812 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,248 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,555/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,555/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.6% |
| 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 | $17,598/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,666/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,173/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,602/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,244/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,516 | $28,852 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,210 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,478 | $23,218 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $38,829 | $29,334 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,416 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $34,847 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $34,847 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $32,569 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $30,228 | $25,559 |
The Risk Factor
63.6% of students at Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Mount Vernon Nazarene University gives you a middling financial return that leans heavily on which major you pick. With a median debt of $25,000 against median earnings of $49,555 a decade out, most graduates carry a manageable but not trivial loan load, and the 63.6% graduation rate means roughly a third of students leave without the degree they paid for.
Nursing is the clear payoff here. At $56,210, it out-earns every other program on the list and comes with below-median debt, so the math works cleanly. Business Administration lands in respectable territory too. Everything else is a problem. Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Special Education all pay under $36,000, and Social Work pairs that low ceiling with the highest debt on the list at $25,000. Borrowing full freight for those three fields at this net price is hard to justify.
The specific risk is major choice combined with the dropout rate. If you enroll for nursing and finish, you win. If you enroll for social work or education, or you fall into the 20% who don't return after year one, the numbers turn against you fast.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $17,600, while families over $110,000 pay $26,244. That $8,600 gap makes this school far more affordable at the bottom of the income range than the sticker suggests.
This school fits you if you're set on nursing, or if your family income falls under $48,000 and you'll finish. Look elsewhere if you're planning a social work, criminal justice, or special education career and would need to borrow the full net price to do it, since the starting salaries won't clear that debt comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Vernon Nazarene University worth the cost?
Mount Vernon Nazarene University's graduates earn $49,555 after 10 years, which is below average for a private college costing $21,812 annually. The return on investment is weak unless you pursue business or nursing programs that show higher earning potential.
What are the best paying majors at Mount Vernon Nazarene University?
Business administration graduates earn around $61,516 and nursing graduates earn $56,210, making these the only programs that justify the cost. Education and criminal justice graduates earn significantly less at $38,829 and $35,416 respectively.
How much student debt do Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates have?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with lower-than-average graduate earnings, loan repayment may still be challenging for graduates in lower-paying fields.
Does Mount Vernon Nazarene University have good financial aid?
The net price of $21,812 suggests decent financial aid for a private college, but 37% of students don't graduate within six years. The high acceptance rate of 85% means the school may accept students who struggle academically or financially.