At $20,477/yr net price, Notre Dame College graduates earn $49,737/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,737/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,477 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $81,908 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,737/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,737/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,707/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,948/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,567/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,028/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,243/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 | $61,859 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $48,432 | $50,685 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $26,500 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $35,330 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,334 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $33,459 | $30,750 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $29,250 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $29,141 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $28,960 | $28,250 |
The Risk Factor
36.6% of students at Notre Dame College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Notre Dame College sits in a shaky financial spot, and the school is closing, which makes the numbers below the ceiling on what you can expect. With a $20,477 net price and $49,737 median earnings a decade out, the payoff is thin, and a 36.6% graduation rate means most people who enroll never finish to see it. A 69.3% retention rate says nearly a third of your classmates leave after year one.
Nursing is the one program that clearly pays. At $61,859, it earns roughly $16,000 more than the next-best option, business administration, and its $25,000 debt load is lower than most other majors here. Cleveland's hospital systems make that a real regional bet. Everything else struggles. Marketing ($35,330), psychology ($33,993), and special education ($33,459) all land in the mid-$30,000s, and special education carries the heaviest debt at $30,750 for the lowest pay on the list. Borrowing $30,750 to earn $33,459 is a bad trade.
The pricing structure is odd. If your family earns $30,000 to $48,000, you pay $14,948, the lowest tier by far. But drop below $30,000 and the price jumps to $18,707, so the poorest families pay more than the tier above them. Above $110,000, you pay $25,243.
This school makes financial sense for you only if you enter nursing, finish, and stay in the Cleveland market. For any other major, the combination of a $27,000 median debt, low earnings, and a graduation rate under 40% makes the risk hard to justify. Given the closure, weigh transfer options carefully before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Notre Dame College worth the tuition cost?
Notre Dame College's return on investment is mixed, with graduates earning a median of $49,737 ten years after enrollment against $27,000 in typical debt. The nursing programs offer strong earning potential at $61,859, but other majors like psychology and marketing show weaker financial returns relative to the cost.
What is the job market like for Notre Dame College graduates?
The college's 36.6% graduation rate is concerning and well below national averages. Nursing graduates have the best job prospects with median earnings of $61,859, while business and psychology majors face more challenging job markets with lower starting salaries.
How much debt do Notre Dame College students typically graduate with?
Students typically graduate with $27,000 in debt, which is manageable for nursing majors who earn $61,859 but creates financial strain for graduates in lower-paying fields like marketing ($35,330) and psychology ($33,993).
Which Notre Dame College programs have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs offer the strongest ROI with graduates earning $61,859 annually, making the $27,000 debt load reasonable. Special education graduates earn $48,432, providing a decent return, while marketing and psychology programs show weaker financial outcomes.