At $23,165/yr net price, Rockhurst University graduates earn $67,102/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $33,102/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,165 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $92,660 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,102/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$33,102/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,557/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,467/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,581/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,063/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,784/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $70,176 | $26,091 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $66,179 | $108,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $61,814 | $75,495 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,213 | $15,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $56,415 | $50,102 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $43,957 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $43,519 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $22,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $30,988 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
75.6% of students at Rockhurst University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 24% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Rockhurst University in Kansas City gives you a solid financial return, with one clear caveat: your major decides almost everything. The median $67,102 earnings ten years out beats the $23,165 net price, and median debt of $18,250 stays below the standard federal borrowing limit. The 75.6% graduation rate and 84% retention mean you are likely to finish, which is where debt turns dangerous when a degree goes unfinished.
Nursing is the strongest bet here. Graduates earn over $60,000 early with just $15,000 in debt, a payoff that clears cost fast in the Kansas City hospital market. Business pays reasonably at $43,957. The picture drops sharply after that. English graduates earn under $33,000 while carrying $22,250 in debt, and Health and Physical Education pays under $31,000 against $25,000 in debt. If you enroll for either of those programs, you graduate with more debt and less income than the nursing students beside you.
The specific risk here is that low-earning majors carry the highest debt loads. Your borrowing goes up as your expected salary goes down, which is the opposite of what you want. Choose your program with that in mind.
On price by income: families under $30,000 pay $18,557, and the number climbs steadily to $27,784 over $110,000. The gap between the lowest and highest tiers is about $9,000, so aid narrows the cost but does not erase it for lower-income families paying nearly $18,600 a year.
Rockhurst is a good fit for you if you are heading into nursing or business and can finish in four years. If your goal is teaching, English, or physical education, price out the debt against those sub-$35,000 salaries first, and consider a cheaper public option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rockhurst University worth the cost?
Rockhurst University's net price of $23,165 annually produces graduates earning $67,102 after 10 years, which is a reasonable return on investment. The relatively low median debt of $18,250 helps make the degree financially manageable for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at Rockhurst University?
Business Administration leads with $70,176 in median earnings, followed by rehabilitation programs around $66,000. Nursing graduates earn about $60,213, which is solid for healthcare but lower than many nursing programs at other schools.
How much debt do Rockhurst University graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $18,250, which is relatively low compared to many private universities. With graduates earning $67,102 after 10 years, most can handle this debt burden without major financial stress.
Does Rockhurst University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $23,165 suggests decent financial aid, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. However, this still represents a significant annual investment that students should weigh against potential earnings in their chosen field.