Anderson University
Anderson, Indiana · Private Nonprofit · 79.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 32/100 · Poor Value
Anderson University is a private nonprofit institution in Anderson, Indiana, enrolling about 1,057 undergraduates. Affiliated with the Church of God, it carries a $37,240 sticker price reduced to a $25,021 average net price, though families above $75,000 pay closer to $26,000–$29,000. Anderson earns a Poor Value ROI score of 32 — reflecting a 17.3-year payback period, a 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio, and median six-year earnings of only $33,300. The 54% graduation rate, while not low by regional standards, leaves nearly half of enrolled students without a degree to show for their investment. Nursing is the one clear bright spot, with graduates earning $64,000–$81,500. Outside nursing and accounting, most programs post D or F ROI grades against significant debt. Anderson's faith-community culture and small class sizes have genuine appeal, but prospective students must weigh those intangibles against a price tag that only makes financial sense for a narrow set of program choices.
The data raises concerns about Anderson University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score32/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period17.3 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Anderson University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $37,240/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $37,240/yr |
| Average net price | $25,021/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $100,084 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,899 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 17.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 53.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,057 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Anderson University is $37,240/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $25,021/year, or roughly $100,084 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $23,119/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,375/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $48,899 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.81 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $23,119 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,044 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,418 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,139 |
| $110,001+ | $29,375 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $23,119 net — notably higher than the $21,044 paid by the $30,001–$48,000 bracket, a counterintuitive pattern. At those cost levels and with $33,300 median earnings at six years, low-income students face a genuine financial burden unless they enter nursing. Maximizing all available federal and state aid, and selecting nursing explicitly, is the path that makes financial sense.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001–$75,000 band pays $21,044–$22,418 — Anderson's best aid tier. With a 17.3-year payback at median and a 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio, middle-income families need to treat program choice as the primary ROI driver. Nursing changes the calculus dramatically.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Above $75,000, families pay $26,139–$29,375. Anderson's value proposition diminishes considerably at this price point. Higher-income families should compare Anderson to Butler University or Indiana University's regional campuses before committing.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Anderson University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $81,507 | B |
| Psychology | $48,181 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $55,736 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $46,029 | D |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $50,717 | C |
| Teacher Education | $47,968 | C |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $51,172 | - |
| Marketing | $68,644 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $41,966 | D |
| Social Work | $51,748 | C+ |
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 Anderson's anchor program with 43 graduates earning $64,084 in year one and $81,507 at four years. A 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a B grade. This program justifies the net price and delivers outcomes that compare favorably to larger Indiana programs. Students who gain admission to Anderson's nursing track have a defensible ROI path.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 12 students with year-one earnings of $44,851 and $47,968 at four years. At a 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio graded C, the numbers are serviceable for Indiana's entry-level teacher salaries, but the private-school price tag makes this track financially tight. Indiana teacher loan forgiveness programs should be factored into the decision.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 15 students with year-one earnings of $34,294 and a 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio earning a D. The four-year figure of $55,736 shows more promise, suggesting career progression over time, but early-career cash flow will be strained by $27,000 in median debt on a $34,000 starting salary.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 16 students with year-one earnings of $27,482 and a 0.98 debt-to-earnings ratio graded D. Most psychology graduates will need a graduate degree to reach livable wages; the D grade reflects this early-career earnings gap. Students should plan for graduate school before enrolling in this program at a private institution.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 76.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 68.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 79.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 450-570 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 450-580 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-24 |
| Enrollment | 1,057 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,746 |
Anderson accepts about 79% of applicants. The middle 50% SAT spans 450–580 in both reading and math; ACT runs 17–24. Merit scholarships are available and can meaningfully reduce costs. Students considering Anderson primarily for its faith community should verify scholarship renewability requirements to prevent mid-program cost surprises.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among listed peers — Butler University and Bethel University — Anderson shows lower median earnings and a longer payback period. Butler's 81 ROI score and higher graduation rate represent a substantially better outcome for a similar private-faith-school experience, though Butler carries a higher net price for some income brackets. Anderson's strongest ROI case is made by nursing outcomes, which compare favorably across the peer group.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University (this school) | 32 | $25,021 | $48,899 |
| Butler University | 79 | $36,041 | $77,235 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | 35 | $16,442 | $48,675 |
| Bethel University | 34 | $18,610 | $48,860 |
| Mount Aloysius College | 34 | $22,344 | $46,165 |
| University of Pikeville | 33 | $20,311 | $48,231 |
Who Thrives Here
Anderson is best suited to students strongly committed to its faith-based community who plan to study nursing, accounting, or another business field. The 79% admissions rate signals accessible entry. Students who are drawn to dance, kinesiology, or psychology face documented debt-to-earnings ratios well above 0.70, meaning they will likely earn less annually than their debt payments require early in their careers. Families should use the net price calculator and stress-test outcomes by major before committing.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Anderson University. With a net cost of $25,021 per year and median graduate earnings of only $48,899 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 17.3 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $27,000 against $48,899 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.