At $15,389/yr net price, Shawnee State University graduates earn $39,596/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,596/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,389 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,556 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,596/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,596/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 11 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,734/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,488/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,623/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,557/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,014/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $66,941 | $49,400 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $24,045 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $55,512 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,607 | $23,875 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $47,260 | $17,494 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $44,170 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $43,426 | $13,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $41,193 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $39,969 | $13,488 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Bachelor | $39,009 | $27,705 |
The Risk Factor
43.0% of students at Shawnee State 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
Shawnee State's financial picture is mixed and leans risky. Median earnings ten years out sit below $40,000, only modestly above the debt you'd carry, and fewer than half of you finish in six years. That combination , a low completion rate paired with soft earnings , is the core problem here.
Your major decides everything at this school. Nursing is the clear winner, paying roughly $57,000 and clearing the debt load that comes with it. Industrial Production Technologies lands close behind at around $55,000, a strong result for a regional public school tied to southern Ohio's manufacturing base. Accounting is respectable in the low $40,000s. But Teacher Education graduates earn about $32,000, and Engineering Technologies sits near $39,000 despite carrying the highest program debt on the list. Pick nursing or a production trade, and the math works. Pick education, and you'll struggle to justify the cost.
The specific risk is finishing at all. With a 43% graduation rate and 71% retention, there's a real chance you take on debt and leave without a degree , the worst financial outcome. If you're not confident you'll complete, that risk should weigh heavily.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay less than $13,500 a year, while families over $110,000 pay roughly $19,000. The gap is modest, so higher earners don't get much of a break here.
Shawnee State fits you if you're headed into nursing or a manufacturing-linked technical field and plan to work in the region. If you want education or a general degree with no clear career target, the weak earnings and low completion odds make this a hard bet , look elsewhere or nail down a high-paying program before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shawnee State University worth the money?
Shawnee State University graduates earn a median of $39,596 ten years after graduation, which is below average for college graduates. With a net price of $15,389 per year and only a 43% graduation rate, the financial return is weak unless you pursue specific high-paying programs like rehabilitation therapy or nursing.
What are the best paying majors at Shawnee State University?
Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions graduates from Shawnee State earn around $66,941, while nursing graduates make $52,000-$57,000. These programs offer solid returns, but most other majors at the school lead to below-average earnings.
How much student debt do Shawnee State University graduates have?
Shawnee State University graduates have a median debt of $23,000, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, with graduate earnings of just under $40,000, paying off this debt may still be challenging for many students.
What is the graduation rate at Shawnee State University?
Only 43% of students graduate from Shawnee State University within six years. This low completion rate means many students take on debt without finishing their degree, making the financial risk higher than the sticker price suggests.