At $21,539/yr net price, Olivet Nazarene University graduates earn $53,213/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,213/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,539 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $86,156 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,213/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,213/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,617/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,148/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,653/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,922/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,174/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. | Master | $91,004 | $42,454 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $88,786 | |
| Education, Other. | Doctoral | $78,971 | |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Certificate | $67,899 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $65,855 | $26,248 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $63,997 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $27,000 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $55,286 | $14,593 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $52,316 | $15,938 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $49,058 | $26,991 |
The Risk Factor
60.3% of students at Olivet Nazarene University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Olivet Nazarene lands in mixed territory. You pay about $21,500 a year after aid, walk out with $25,000 in median debt, and hit median earnings around $53,000 a decade later. That debt-to-earnings ratio works, but the return depends heavily on what you study.
Nursing and engineering are where the money is. Nursing grads clear $65,000 and engineering isn't far behind, both landing well above the school median while carrying debt in the $26,000-$27,000 range that their salaries can absorb. Accounting holds up too at around $56,000. Chicago and the surrounding Illinois metro give nursing and engineering grads a real regional job market to step into.
Business administration is the weak spot. At under $40,000, it pays $26,000 less than nursing while you take on nearly the same debt load. If business is your plan here, know that the payoff trails the school's best programs by a wide margin. Economics sits in the middle at roughly $49,000.
The bigger risk is finishing. Only 68% of freshmen return for year two, and 60% graduate. If you borrow for a degree you don't complete, you carry the debt with none of the earnings, and here that's a real possibility for four in ten of you.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $17,000 a year, less than middle-income families. But the $48,000-$75,000 band jumps to nearly $20,000, and over $110,000 you pay about $26,000. Aid tapers fast once you clear the low-income tiers.
Come here for nursing, engineering, or accounting and you'll likely see your money back. If you're set on a general business degree or unsure you'll finish, run the numbers hard before you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Olivet Nazarene University worth the money?
Olivet Nazarene University's value depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn strong salaries around $88,000-$91,000, making the $25,000 median debt manageable. Other programs show weaker returns, with 10-year median earnings of $53,213 against a $21,539 annual net price.
What are the best paying majors at Olivet Nazarene University?
Nursing programs at Olivet Nazarene University offer the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning $65,000-$91,000 depending on specialization. Education majors earn around $79,000, while teaching English as a second language graduates average $68,000.
How much debt do Olivet Nazarene University graduates have?
Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median debt of $25,000. This debt load is reasonable for nursing majors who earn $80,000+ but may be challenging for graduates in lower-paying fields given the school's 60% graduation rate.
Does Olivet Nazarene University have good job outcomes?
Job outcomes at Olivet Nazarene University vary significantly by program. Nursing graduates see strong employment prospects and salaries, but the overall 10-year median earnings of $53,213 suggests mixed results across other majors.