At $23,866/yr net price, Multnomah University graduates earn $47,939/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,939/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,866 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $95,464 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,939/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,939/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,713/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,778/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,550/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,928/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,053/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $28,236 | $18,625 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies. | Bachelor | $25,658 | $23,875 |
The Risk Factor
50.8% of students at Multnomah 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
Multnomah University's numbers point to a weak financial return. You'd graduate with median earnings under $48,000 a decade out, and the two bachelor's programs with reported earnings both land well below that number. Psychology grads see about $28,000 and Bible/Biblical Studies grads about $26,000. Neither clears what you'd need to comfortably pay down the roughly $20,000 in median debt you'd carry.
The bigger red flag is retention. Only about a third of students come back for a second year, and just over half who start eventually graduate. That means your odds of finishing what you pay for are shaky, and paying for college without a degree is the worst financial outcome here.
The net price tiers work against you in an unusual way. Families earning under $48,000 pay less than $21,000 a year, but the price climbs to nearly $29,000 for the $75,000-$110,000 bracket before dipping again above $110,000. If your household sits in that upper-middle range, you pay the most and get the least discount.
This school makes financial sense if you're specifically pursuing ministry, Bible study, or a faith-based career where the degree itself is the goal and salary isn't the point. The Portland job market won't reward a $26,000 Bible degree with strong wages, so borrowing heavily against these outcomes is risky.
If you're choosing Multnomah for the earnings payoff, look elsewhere. The programs with reported data don't pay enough to justify the cost, and the low retention means you're betting on finishing at a place where most first-year students don't return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Multnomah University worth the cost?
Multnomah University graduates earn $47,939 ten years after graduation, which is below average for college graduates nationally. With a net price of $23,866 per year and only a 51% graduation rate, the financial return is weak compared to other institutions.
What are the best paying programs at Multnomah University?
Psychology graduates from Multnomah University earn around $28,236 annually, while Bible/Biblical Studies graduates earn about $25,658. Both figures are significantly below national averages for college graduates, making debt payback challenging.
How much debt do Multnomah University students typically graduate with?
Multnomah University students graduate with a median debt of $20,250. Given that graduates earn around $47,939 after ten years, this debt load is manageable compared to many private colleges, though earnings remain low overall.
Does Multnomah University have a good graduation rate for the money?
Multnomah University has a 51% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't complete their degree. This poor completion rate, combined with below-average post-graduation earnings, makes the investment risky.