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Capella University
Minneapolis, MN 18,364 Undergrads 32.3% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$23,267
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$18,458
After Aid
Median Earnings
$86,539
5yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$18,458
Peer Midpoint: $19,969
Earnings (5yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$86,539Peer Midpoint: $61,632
Warning: This school's reported earnings inflated significantly (+69%) when the Dept of Education excluded non-graduates from the dataset. Take caution when comparing.
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$51,254Peer Midpoint: $58,891
Graduation Rate32.3%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Warning: The majority of students at this institution do not graduate. Non-completers typically earn significantly less and face higher debt risks.
Average starting age (2015-17)35.6
Warning: High average starting age indicates non-traditional students with prior work experience, which may inflate the median earnings shown.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients41.0%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time32.5%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS75.4%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
100.0%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$731k
+$261k
+$245k
Median Cost$18k/yr
+$665k
+$195k
+$179k
Full Cost$23k/yr
+$648k
+$178k
+$161k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
27
∞
Median Cost$18k/yr
32
269%
Full Cost$23k/yr
33
193%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the median earnings five years after graduating, with four years of 2% raises taken out.⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return455%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return80%
Program ROI Analysis
These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →
Certificates
Accounting and Related Services
CertCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,589
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Programming
CertCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,556
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$68,967
Natl Median: $52,615
Lifetime Value Added
+$272k
Bachelor's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
BachCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$23,000
Earnings (4yr)
$71,589
Natl Median: $76,194
Lifetime Value Added
+$77k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$18,368
Earnings (4yr)
$87,997
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
+$203k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$80,076
Natl Median: $77,632
Lifetime Value Added
+$142k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
BachCIP: 1101
Median Debt
$22,831
Earnings (4yr)
$99,561
Natl Median: $92,374
Lifetime Value Added
+$291k
Computer Programming
BachCIP: 1102
Median Debt
$31,204
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,439
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
BachCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,894
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
$32,398
Earnings (4yr)
$109,194
Natl Median: $85,063
Lifetime Value Added
+$364k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
BachCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$37,042
Earnings (4yr)
$59,375
Natl Median: $55,378
Lifetime Value Added
-$19k
Data Processing
BachCIP: 1103
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $75,978
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Finance and Financial Management Services
BachCIP: 5208
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$78,941
Natl Median: $83,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$133k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
BachCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$21,112
Earnings (4yr)
$76,334
Natl Median: $58,716
Lifetime Value Added
+$114k
Homeland Security
BachCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$76,446
Natl Median: $70,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$114k
Human Resources Management and Services
BachCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$20,173
Earnings (4yr)
$76,004
Natl Median: $68,069
Lifetime Value Added
+$111k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
BachCIP: 5213
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $86,176
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
BachCIP: 5214
Median Debt
$30,162
Earnings (4yr)
$80,588
Natl Median: $69,303
Lifetime Value Added
+$146k
Medical Illustration and Informatics
BachCIP: 5127
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$71,058
Natl Median: $73,739
Lifetime Value Added
+$62k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$20,572
Earnings (4yr)
$51,571
Natl Median: $50,706
Lifetime Value Added
-$84k
Median Debt
$6,509
Earnings (4yr)
$97,211
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$273k
Master's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
MastCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$89,892
Natl Median: $95,833
Lifetime Value Added
+$119k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$26,459
Earnings (4yr)
$96,768
Natl Median: $103,485
Lifetime Value Added
+$179k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$36,589
Earnings (4yr)
$66,014
Natl Median: $65,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$92k
Community Organization and Advocacy
MastCIP: 4402
Median Debt
$39,854
Earnings (4yr)
$53,197
Natl Median: $67,597
Lifetime Value Added
-$211k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
MastCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$77,213
Natl Median: $124,201
Lifetime Value Added
+$35k
Median Debt
$48,538
Earnings (4yr)
$112,573
Natl Median: $121,855
Lifetime Value Added
+$317k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
MastCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$62,676
Natl Median: $66,714
Lifetime Value Added
-$122k
Curriculum and Instruction
MastCIP: 1303
Median Debt
$28,475
Earnings (4yr)
$70,537
Natl Median: $63,399
Lifetime Value Added
-$51k
Education, General
MastCIP: 1301
Median Debt
$21,822
Earnings (4yr)
$71,396
Natl Median: $65,824
Lifetime Value Added
-$43k
Education, Other
MastCIP: 1399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$72,432
Natl Median: $65,348
Lifetime Value Added
-$34k
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$33,843
Earnings (4yr)
$73,420
Natl Median: $71,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$26k
Educational/Instructional Media Design
MastCIP: 1305
Median Debt
$32,231
Earnings (4yr)
$80,916
Natl Median: $70,644
Lifetime Value Added
+$40k
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
MastCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$61,943
Natl Median: $97,366
Lifetime Value Added
-$140k
Finance and Financial Management Services
MastCIP: 5208
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$83,324
Natl Median: $110,694
Lifetime Value Added
+$61k
Gerontology
MastCIP: 3011
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$47,856
Natl Median: $67,618
Lifetime Value Added
-$263k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
MastCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$28,223
Earnings (4yr)
$93,044
Natl Median: $89,981
Lifetime Value Added
+$146k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $95,461
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Homeland Security
MastCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$76,702
Natl Median: $96,660
Lifetime Value Added
+$3k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,244
Natl Median: $58,524
Lifetime Value Added
-$192k
Human Resources Management and Services
MastCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$31,998
Earnings (4yr)
$81,093
Natl Median: $83,558
Lifetime Value Added
+$42k
Human Services, General
MastCIP: 4400
Median Debt
$40,439
Earnings (4yr)
$55,797
Natl Median: $57,050
Lifetime Value Added
-$187k
Management Information Systems and Services
MastCIP: 5212
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$136,210
Natl Median: $106,092
Lifetime Value Added
+$522k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
MastCIP: 5213
Median Debt
$45,049
Earnings (4yr)
$109,421
Natl Median: $124,807
Lifetime Value Added
+$290k
Marketing
MastCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$81,837
Natl Median: $79,106
Lifetime Value Added
+$48k
Medical Illustration and Informatics
MastCIP: 5127
Median Debt
$21,009
Earnings (4yr)
$100,105
Natl Median: $101,441
Lifetime Value Added
+$208k
Median Debt
$58,108
Earnings (4yr)
$59,050
Natl Median: $59,571
Lifetime Value Added
-$156k
Psychology, General
MastCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$28,175
Earnings (4yr)
$59,640
Natl Median: $64,711
Lifetime Value Added
-$150k
Psychology, Other
MastCIP: 4299
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,115
Natl Median: $61,796
Lifetime Value Added
-$193k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$36,668
Natl Median: $70,135
Lifetime Value Added
-$359k
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$41,476
Earnings (4yr)
$75,626
Natl Median: $81,408
Lifetime Value Added
-$6k
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
$43,001
Earnings (4yr)
$74,751
Natl Median: $82,751
Lifetime Value Added
-$14k
Median Debt
$17,349
Earnings (4yr)
$117,823
Natl Median: $120,193
Lifetime Value Added
+$363k
Research and Experimental Psychology
MastCIP: 4227
Median Debt
$34,577
Earnings (4yr)
$53,408
Natl Median: $63,216
Lifetime Value Added
-$209k
Security Science and Technology
MastCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$105,757
Natl Median: $82,399
Lifetime Value Added
+$258k
Social Sciences, Other
MastCIP: 4599
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$50,531
Natl Median: $64,286
Lifetime Value Added
-$237k
Special Education and Teaching
MastCIP: 1310
Median Debt
$30,314
Earnings (4yr)
$61,268
Natl Median: $64,397
Lifetime Value Added
-$135k
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
MastCIP: 1311
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$59,109
Natl Median: $60,111
Lifetime Value Added
-$166k
Median Debt
$34,145
Earnings (4yr)
$58,879
Natl Median: $59,916
Lifetime Value Added
-$157k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$94,795
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
+$162k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$63,736
Natl Median: $65,767
Lifetime Value Added
-$112k
Graduate Certificates
Accounting and Related Services
Gr-CertCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $82,363
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Gr-CertCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$85,027
Natl Median: $94,506
Lifetime Value Added
+$164k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Gr-CertCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$37,815
Earnings (4yr)
$56,817
Natl Median: $65,509
Lifetime Value Added
-$111k
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
Gr-CertCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$101,426
Natl Median: $101,517
Lifetime Value Added
+$320k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Gr-CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$39,909
Natl Median: $74,072
Lifetime Value Added
-$272k
Curriculum and Instruction
Gr-CertCIP: 1303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,033
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Gr-CertCIP: 2613
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $95,414
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Education, General
Gr-CertCIP: 1301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,448
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Education, Other
Gr-CertCIP: 1399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$83,416
Natl Median: $59,921
Lifetime Value Added
+$149k
Educational Administration and Supervision
Gr-CertCIP: 1304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$78,507
Natl Median: $86,288
Lifetime Value Added
+$102k
Educational/Instructional Media Design
Gr-CertCIP: 1305
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $75,166
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Gr-CertCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $79,275
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Gr-CertCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$64,656
Natl Median: $99,117
Lifetime Value Added
-$31k
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities
Gr-CertCIP: 5132
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $112,957
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Homeland Security
Gr-CertCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $84,606
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Gr-CertCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$49,557
Natl Median: $60,191
Lifetime Value Added
-$186k
Human Resources Management and Services
Gr-CertCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$36,098
Earnings (4yr)
$81,260
Natl Median: $74,850
Lifetime Value Added
+$128k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Gr-CertCIP: 5213
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$108,689
Natl Median: $122,843
Lifetime Value Added
+$389k
Medical Illustration and Informatics
Gr-CertCIP: 5127
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$96,426
Natl Median: $95,753
Lifetime Value Added
+$272k
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Gr-CertCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$24,791
Earnings (4yr)
$52,315
Natl Median: $60,655
Lifetime Value Added
-$157k
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Gr-CertCIP: 3099
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$59,798
Natl Median: $72,899
Lifetime Value Added
-$80k
Public Health
Gr-CertCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$75,218
Natl Median: $88,684
Lifetime Value Added
+$57k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$110,330
Natl Median: $126,911
Lifetime Value Added
+$404k
Security Science and Technology
Gr-CertCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $112,169
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Gr-CertCIP: 1311
Median Debt
$29,639
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,774
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$58,651
Natl Median: $63,709
Lifetime Value Added
-$92k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,444
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Doctoral Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
DocCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$82,440
Natl Median: $158,084
Lifetime Value Added
-$78k
Median Debt
$67,820
Earnings (4yr)
$121,925
Natl Median: $113,566
Lifetime Value Added
+$190k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $126,418
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business/Commerce, General
DocCIP: 5201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$107,902
Natl Median: $149,621
Lifetime Value Added
+$87k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
DocCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$100,441
Earnings (4yr)
$87,549
Natl Median: $99,878
Lifetime Value Added
-$64k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
DocCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$158,849
Natl Median: $154,538
Lifetime Value Added
+$461k
Median Debt
$74,597
Earnings (4yr)
$175,839
Natl Median: $172,649
Lifetime Value Added
+$585k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
DocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$96,102
Natl Median: $86,427
Lifetime Value Added
-$790
Curriculum and Instruction
DocCIP: 1303
Median Debt
$59,075
Earnings (4yr)
$91,034
Natl Median: $83,031
Lifetime Value Added
-$38k
Education, General
DocCIP: 1301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$96,095
Natl Median: $87,373
Lifetime Value Added
-$841
Education, Other
DocCIP: 1399
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$91,214
Natl Median: $90,635
Lifetime Value Added
-$37k
Educational Administration and Supervision
DocCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$70,602
Earnings (4yr)
$85,817
Natl Median: $100,573
Lifetime Value Added
-$77k
Educational/Instructional Media Design
DocCIP: 1305
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$89,389
Natl Median: $89,809
Lifetime Value Added
-$51k
Finance and Financial Management Services
DocCIP: 5208
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $144,778
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
DocCIP: 5107
Median Debt
$82,061
Earnings (4yr)
$96,495
Natl Median: $126,299
Lifetime Value Added
+$2k
Homeland Security
DocCIP: 4303
Median Debt
$98,795
Earnings (2yr)
$101,964
Natl Median: $149,417
Lifetime Value Added
+$73k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$79,682
Natl Median: $92,538
Lifetime Value Added
-$135k
Human Resources Management and Services
DocCIP: 5210
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$159,344
Natl Median: $110,734
Lifetime Value Added
+$465k
Human Services, General
DocCIP: 4400
Median Debt
$81,739
Earnings (4yr)
$71,288
Natl Median: $70,068
Lifetime Value Added
-$185k
Management Information Systems and Services
DocCIP: 5212
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$127,993
Natl Median: $132,346
Lifetime Value Added
+$273k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
DocCIP: 5213
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $193,221
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Marketing
DocCIP: 5214
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $146,358
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $77,066
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Psychology, General
DocCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$84,797
Earnings (4yr)
$82,098
Natl Median: $98,707
Lifetime Value Added
-$105k
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$58,530
Natl Median: $92,569
Lifetime Value Added
-$294k
Public Administration
DocCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$102,059
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $99,464
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Public Health
DocCIP: 5122
Median Debt
$82,295
Earnings (4yr)
$105,140
Natl Median: $108,962
Lifetime Value Added
+$66k
Median Debt
$40,133
Earnings (4yr)
$134,483
Natl Median: $138,131
Lifetime Value Added
+$283k
Social Sciences, Other
DocCIP: 4599
Median Debt
$101,506
Earnings (4yr)
$73,080
Natl Median: $73,599
Lifetime Value Added
-$172k
Social Work
DocCIP: 4407
Median Debt
$63,970
Earnings (5yr)
$101,380
Natl Median: $98,285
Lifetime Value Added
+$24k
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
DocCIP: 1311
Median Debt
$112,062
Earnings (4yr)
$86,593
Natl Median: $83,794
Lifetime Value Added
-$71k
Median Debt
$67,241
Earnings (4yr)
$87,754
Natl Median: $81,822
Lifetime Value Added
-$63k
Median Debt
$72,366
Earnings (4yr)
$103,882
Natl Median: $85,168
Lifetime Value Added
+$57k
Professional Degrees
Median Debt
$60,654
Earnings (4yr)
$57,744
Natl Median: $57,460
Lifetime Value Added
-$291k
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
ProfCIP: 1311
Median Debt
$53,032
Earnings (4yr)
$60,258
Natl Median: $60,172
Lifetime Value Added
-$271k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. Note that the institution's average undergraduate net price is used as a proxy for annual cost, which may differ from actual graduate tuition. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.