AdventHealth University
Orlando, Florida · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 63/100 · Fair Value
AdventHealth University earns a Fair Value tier with an overall ROI score of 63 out of 100 -- one of the strongest profiles in this batch despite a few notable weaknesses. AHU's earnings outcomes are genuinely impressive: median 10-year earnings of $72,282, a 30.9% premium over high school graduates (sub-score 68), and a fast 7-year payback period (sub-score 83). Median debt of $24,590 against the strong earnings produces a healthy 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 80). What drags AHU's score is a striking 38.9% completion rate (sub-score 19) and a mediocre 67.9% three-year repayment rate (sub-score 34). Tuition is $21,420 per year, but the average net price climbs to $30,135 -- net price exceeds tuition because room/board/fees pile on top with limited aid. AHU is a small, faith-based health sciences university affiliated with the AdventHealth hospital system; its students who finish do extremely well financially because they're funneled directly into healthcare jobs. The big risk is the completion rate: more than 6 in 10 students do not graduate, leaving them with debt and no credential.
The data raises concerns about AdventHealth University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate38.9% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
AdventHealth University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $21,420/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $21,420/yr |
| Average net price | $30,135/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $120,540 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,282 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $53,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,590 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $261 |
| Estimated payback period | 7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 38.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,361 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at AdventHealth University is $21,420/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $30,135/year, or roughly $120,540 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $28,845/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $33,900/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,590 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $261 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $72,282 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.46 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,845 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $30,782 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $27,569 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,158 |
| $110,001+ | $33,900 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Net price brackets here have notable irregularities. Families earning under $30,000 pay $28,845, while $30,001-$48,000 actually pays MORE ($30,782) -- and $48,001-$75,000 drops to $27,569. The 75,001-110,000 bracket then jumps to $35,158, and 110,000-plus drops back to $33,900. This non-monotonic pattern likely reflects small enrollment counts in some brackets producing unstable averages. Low-income families face roughly $115,000 over four years -- substantial, with the completion-rate risk on top.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) pay $27,569 per year, while $75,001-$110,000 jumps to $35,158. The bracket inversion between $48,001-$75,000 and $30,001-$48,000 is unusual. Middle-income families face $110,000-$141,000 over four years; with strong earnings outcomes for those who complete, the math can work for committed nursing students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning above $110,000 pay $33,900 per year, or roughly $136,000 over four years. For a nursing student with the discipline to complete and the AdventHealth network for placement, this can pencil out -- the $87,330 four-year nursing earnings recoup the cost reasonably quickly. For other paths, UCF or USF nursing programs offer dramatically better cost math.
Earnings by Major
Top 4 most popular majors at AdventHealth University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $87,330 | C+ |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $51,967 | D |
| Biology | $58,386 | B |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $82,600 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is overwhelmingly AHU's largest program with 180 graduates per year. Median first-year earnings of $71,026 and four-year earnings of $87,330 are excellent. Median debt of $33,416 produces a 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ ROI grade -- the heavy debt is the main thing holding this back from B territory. The AdventHealth hospital system affiliation provides direct clinical and employment pipelines; this is the program that makes AHU's value proposition coherent.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Health Services General graduates 12 students per year with a D ROI grade. Median first-year earnings of just $29,287 against $27,166 of debt produce a 0.928 debt-to-earnings ratio. This is a stark contrast with the school's nursing program -- a generalist health sciences credential without specialized clinical certification produces weak outcomes. Students should target a specific clinical pathway rather than this generalist track.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment graduates just 4 students per year but produces a B ROI grade with median first-year earnings of $77,225 and four-year earnings of $82,600 against $32,625 of debt (0.422 debt-to-earnings ratio). This small specialized track likely funnels into specific clinical roles like radiologic technology or sonography where AHU's hospital affiliation provides excellent placement.
Biology
Biology graduates 5 students per year with four-year earnings of $58,386 and $23,707 of debt, producing a 0.406 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B ROI grade. First-year earnings are not reported. The strong four-year figure likely reflects students progressing into healthcare graduate programs (PA, DPT, medical school) where AHU's hospital network provides advantages. As a stand-alone bachelor's, biology earnings would be much weaker.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 67.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 63.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 1,361 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,875 |
Admission rate is not reported in current Scorecard data, and SAT/ACT mid-ranges are also unavailable -- consistent with a specialized health sciences university that admits primarily on prerequisite coursework and clinical fit rather than traditional undergraduate testing. The 38.9% completion rate suggests that whatever the admit standard is, many students do not make it through the demanding clinical curricula. Prospective students should evaluate the academic rigor of nursing and allied health programs honestly and ensure they have the prerequisite preparation.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
AHU's named peers include Baptist University of Florida, Barry University (a much larger Miami Catholic with similar health-sciences strength), University of Dallas, Saint Mary's College, and Drew University. Among these, AHU's 63 score is at the top of the peer band, primarily because its narrow health-sciences focus produces strong earnings outcomes that the broader liberal arts peers can't match. Drew University and University of Dallas are both stronger academically but post weaker post-graduation earnings on aggregate.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdventHealth University (this school) | 63 | $30,135 | $72,282 |
| Chamberlain University-Ohio | 73 | $31,544 | $92,405 |
| Chamberlain University-Texas | 73 | $32,209 | $92,405 |
| West Coast University-Ontario | 71 | $49,590 | $102,672 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | 69 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | 64 | $18,540 | $61,480 |
Who Thrives Here
AHU fits a very specific student: someone committed to a healthcare career, especially nursing, with the academic preparation and discipline to handle clinical coursework. Enrollment is 1,361, the Pell rate is 36.8% (moderate), and the AdventHealth hospital system affiliation provides direct clinical placements and post-graduation employment pipelines. Strongest fit: nursing students who can leverage the hospital system's recruiting. Weak fit: students unsure of their healthcare commitment -- the 38.9% completion rate suggests many students enroll without the focus required to finish, and they bear the financial cost without the credential.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
AdventHealth University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $30,135 per year leads to $120,540 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $72,282 a decade out. The payback period of 7 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 38.9% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $24,590 against $72,282 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.