At $23,574/yr net price, North Central University graduates earn $45,064/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,064/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,574 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,296 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,064/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,064/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,200 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,345/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,101/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,877/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,667/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,269/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $21,500 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $33,565 | |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries. | Bachelor | $32,284 | $26,250 |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. | Bachelor | $30,228 | $26,868 |
| Religious/Sacred Music. | Bachelor | $29,685 | |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor | $27,552 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
63.6% of students at North Central University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
North Central University gives you a weak financial return. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings land near $45,000, while your median debt sits close to that mark. You pay $23,574 a year in net price at a school where the highest-earning bachelor's programs top out under $40,000. That gap between what you borrow and what you earn is the core problem here.
Look at the programs. Teacher education and business administration lead, but both leave you earning less than $40,000 after a decade. Business administration is the smarter play of the two: you earn roughly the same as teaching graduates while carrying about $4,500 less debt. The ministry-focused tracks, pastoral counseling and intercultural studies, pair the lowest earnings with the highest debt loads near $26,000. Social work sits at the bottom for pay. None of these degrees put you on a path to strong income.
The specific risk is that this is a Christian ministry-oriented school, and its best-paying majors still pay modestly. If you enroll for pastoral counseling or intercultural studies, you take on more debt than the higher-earning majors and earn less doing it. A 63.6% graduation rate also means a real chance you leave without the degree but keep the loans.
The net price tiers barely reward lower income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $19,000. Above $75,000, your price jumps to roughly $28,000. That middle band gets squeezed hardest relative to likely earnings.
This school fits you if ministry, teaching, or social work is your calling and the money is secondary. If you want a degree that pays back your debt quickly, the earnings numbers here tell you to look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Central University worth the cost for the education you get?
North Central University's ROI is below average, with graduates earning $45,064 ten years after enrollment while carrying $23,200 in median debt. The net price of $23,574 annually makes financial sense mainly if you're pursuing teacher education or business programs, which offer the highest earning potential at around $37,000-$38,000.
What majors at North Central University have the best job prospects and salary?
Teacher education and business programs offer the best financial returns at North Central University, with graduates earning $38,289 and $37,208 respectively. Social work, pastoral counseling, and diversity studies programs lead to significantly lower salaries in the $30,000-$33,000 range.
How much debt do North Central University students typically graduate with?
North Central University graduates carry a median debt of $23,200, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, given that most programs lead to starting salaries in the $30,000-$38,000 range, debt repayment may still be challenging for graduates in lower-paying fields like pastoral counseling.
Does North Central University provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
North Central University's net price of $23,574 suggests moderate financial aid, though this still represents a significant cost for families. With a 64% graduation rate, about one-third of students don't complete their degree, making the financial risk higher than at schools with better completion rates.