At $20,204/yr net price, Muskingum University graduates earn $48,440/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,440/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,204 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,816 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,440/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,440/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,369 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,861/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,959/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,945/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,619/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,476/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 | $55,286 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,790 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,363 | $26,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $41,937 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $41,342 | $26,374 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $33,281 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $32,772 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $26,827 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $30,305 | $21,500 |
The Risk Factor
52.7% of students at Muskingum 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
Muskingum University gives you a middling financial return. You pay about $20,000 a year net and come out earning $48,440 a decade later. That gap works if you graduate with manageable debt, but the median debt of $25,369 against those earnings leaves little cushion in your first years out.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any program on this list and stays in demand across Ohio, which offsets the roughly $27,000 in debt that comes with it. Accounting is the second-best bet. The business majors -- management, general business, marketing -- all cluster in the low $40,000s while carrying similar debt loads near $26,000. You take on nearly the same debt for meaningfully lower pay, so the math on those degrees is weaker than it looks next to nursing.
The real risk at Muskingum is finishing at all. Only 69% of you come back for a second year, and just 53% graduate. If you borrow, start a major, and leave without the degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump that makes the price worth it. That completion risk is the biggest financial hazard here, bigger than any single program's payoff.
The net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay about $15,861 a year. if it earns over $110,000, you pay $23,476. That flat curve means lower-income families carry a heavier relative burden and should confirm the aid package covers the gap before committing.
Muskingum fits you if you're going into nursing and confident you'll finish. If you're eyeing a general business or marketing degree, weigh whether the low-$40,000s payoff justifies the debt against cheaper in-state options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Muskingum University worth the cost?
Muskingum University's ROI is mixed, with nursing graduates earning $55,286 but other majors averaging around $42,000-46,000 annually. The $25,369 median debt is manageable, but the 53% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their degree.
What programs at Muskingum University have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs offer the strongest returns at Muskingum University, with graduates earning $55,286 compared to business majors who average $41,000-46,000. Accounting provides decent middle-ground earnings at $46,790.
How much debt do Muskingum University students graduate with?
Muskingum University graduates have a median debt of $25,369, which is reasonable given the $20,204 annual net price. However, this assumes you graduate - the 53% completion rate means many students may accumulate debt without earning a degree.
Do Muskingum University graduates earn enough to pay off their loans?
Most Muskingum University graduates can manage their debt, earning $48,440 annually against $25,369 in loans. Nursing majors do better with $55,286 salaries, while other business majors may struggle more with lower starting wages around $41,000-42,000.