At $28,862/yr net price, Naropa University graduates earn $28,720/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $28,862 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $115,448 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $28,720/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-5,280/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,712 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,428/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,626/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,342/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $40,662/yr |
| $110,001+ | $43,733/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $31,133 | $104,815 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $28,598 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,052 | $25,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Master | $18,154 |
The Risk Factor
45.9% of students at Naropa 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
Naropa University's numbers are hard to defend on financial terms alone. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns about the same as the yearly net price you pay to attend, which means a full four years of cost buys you a salary that barely clears $28,000. That is below what many jobs requiring no degree pay, and it puts your break-even point far into the future.
The one bachelor's program with reported earnings, Psychology, comes in even lower at roughly $21,000 a year against $25,500 in debt. So the single program with data attached pays back less than the school-wide median, and psychology at the bachelor's level rarely leads to licensed clinical work without a graduate degree on top. If your plan stops at the undergraduate degree here, the earnings ceiling is low.
The risks compound. Fewer than half of students graduate, and only about 57% return after their first year, so there is a real chance you pay for time here without finishing. A degree you don't complete carries the debt with none of the earnings.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families and punish middle-to-upper ones. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $20,000 to $22,000 a year. Cross into the $75,000-plus range and the price jumps to roughly $40,000 to $44,000, nearly double, with the same weak earnings outcomes waiting on the far side.
Naropa fits you if you are drawn specifically to its contemplative approach and are entering with clear eyes about pay, ideally with low-income aid pricing and a graduate-school plan. If you need a degree that pays for itself, look elsewhere. The earnings data does not support borrowing much to attend, and the graduation risk means even modest debt can turn into a loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Naropa University worth the cost?
With graduates earning $28,720 ten years after graduation and a net price of $28,862 annually, Naropa's return on investment is poor. Most graduates will struggle to pay off their education costs given the low earning potential.
What are the best paying majors at Naropa University?
Clinical and counseling psychology graduates earn the most at $31,133 annually, followed by writing studies at $28,598. Drama and general psychology majors earn significantly less, with theater graduates making only $18,154 per year.
How much debt do Naropa University students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $24,712, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with low post-graduation earnings, even this moderate debt load can be difficult to repay.
What is Naropa University's graduation rate?
Only 45.9% of students graduate from Naropa University. This low completion rate, combined with poor earning outcomes, makes the financial risk substantial for prospective students.