Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota · Private For-Profit
ROI Score: 31/100 · Poor Value
Capella University earns a Poor Value ROI score of 31, one of the weaker profiles in our dataset. The fundamentals are concerning: only 20% of students complete, the payback period stretches to 29.5 years, and median 10-year earnings of $42,189 are actually lower than median 6-year earnings of $51,500 -- suggesting a graduate population whose earnings stall or decline mid-career rather than grow. Net price runs $17,956 against $14,400 in flat-rate tuition, and the 4-year published cost lands at $71,824. The lone bright spot is debt-to-earnings at 0.291 (subscore 95), driven by relatively low median undergraduate debt of $14,968 -- but that figure understates total debt because Capella is heavily graduate-focused, with most borrowing happening at the master's and doctoral level. Repayment rate sits at 59.5% (subscore 17). As a fully online for-profit, Capella's bachelor-level outcomes are not where this school's value -- if any -- typically lives. Working professionals using employer tuition reimbursement face very different math than traditional borrowers do.
The data raises concerns about Capella University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score31/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate20.0% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period29.5 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Capella University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $14,400/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $14,400/yr |
| Average net price | $17,956/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $71,824 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,189 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $51,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,968 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $159 |
| Estimated payback period | 29.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 20.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 18,364 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Capella University is $14,400/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $17,956/year, or roughly $71,824 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,485/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,820/year.
The median graduate leaves with $14,968 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $159 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $42,189 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.29 - 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 | $17,485 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,324 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,490 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,292 |
| $110,001+ | $22,820 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $17,485, and the $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $17,324 -- functionally flat aid across low-income brackets. Four-year cost lands near $69,000-$70,000. Combined with a 20% completion rate and stagnant 10-year earnings, this represents one of the weakest low-income value propositions in the dataset. Federal and state community-college pathways followed by a public 4-year transfer would deliver dramatically better expected ROI.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $17,490 -- essentially identical to the lowest brackets, indicating the institution offers minimal need-based aid. The $75,001-$110,000 bracket steps up to $21,292. Middle-income families pay close to sticker without much aid offset. Given the for-profit structure and weak overall outcomes, working-adult students with employer tuition benefits represent the only middle-income segment for whom the math may pencil out.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $22,820 net annually -- close to full sticker. With 10-year median earnings of $42,189, the lifetime earnings premium does not justify a six-figure full-pay outlay. High-income full-pay traditional students should look almost anywhere else; brand-name regional publics, hybrid online programs from non-profit universities, and direct workforce credentialing all deliver materially better expected returns.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Capella University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $97,211 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $87,997 | C+ |
| Psychology | $51,571 | F |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $76,334 | C |
| Human Resources Management | $76,004 | C |
| Accounting | $71,589 | C+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $99,561 | C+ |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $109,194 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $59,375 | D |
| Marketing | $80,588 | D |
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 by far Capella's strongest program, with 5,561 graduates -- the largest single program in the school. Median earnings of $85,426 one year out and $97,211 by year four against $27,826 in debt produce a 0.326 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ ROI grade. Most students are likely RN-to-BSN completers entering with active licensure, which explains the strong post-completion earnings. This is the program where Capella's online flexibility creates real value.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business administration produces 597 graduates with $68,701 first-year and $87,997 four-year earnings. Debt of $33,750 yields a 0.491 ratio and a C+ grade. Most completers are mid-career professionals adding a credential to existing work experience, which inflates outcomes relative to traditional-track equivalents. New-to-workforce borrowers should not expect these numbers.
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Health administration graduates 293 students with $62,091 first-year earnings rising to $76,334 by year four. Debt of $39,692 is heavy, producing a 0.639 ratio and a C grade. The healthcare administration field rewards experience over credentials at the bachelor's level, so this program works best for students already employed in healthcare settings adding the degree to advance internally.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer Sciences earns a C+ with $74,674 first-year earnings climbing to $99,561 by year four -- one of the better growth curves on campus. Debt of $37,539 produces a 0.503 ratio. The program serves 82 graduates annually. Strong career-path optionality in IT operations and systems administration, but completion risk remains the dominant variable.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 556 students annually -- a large program -- but earns an F grade. First-year earnings of $39,764 against $40,816 in debt yield a 1.026 debt-to-earnings ratio: typical borrowers leave with debt larger than their first-year salary. By year four earnings only reach $51,571. Bachelor-level psychology requires graduate study to translate into livable wages, which compounds the borrowing problem. This is the highest-risk track on the program list.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 51.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 59.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 32.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 49.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 18,364 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 38.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,627 |
Admission rate is not reported in current Scorecard data, and Capella does not publish standardized test medians. The school operates as a non-selective online institution; admission decisions hinge on transcript review and program fit rather than competitive selection. SAT and ACT distributions are unavailable. Open-access policies correlate predictably with the 20% completion rate.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peer schools include Academy College, Full Sail University, Post University, Ashford University, and Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs -- a peer set dominated by online and for-profit institutions. Capella's ROI score of 31 lands in the same poor-value band as most of these peers. Full Sail and Colorado Tech post comparable completion-rate weaknesses; Post University tends to score slightly higher on earnings premium. Within the for-profit online sector, Capella is roughly mid-pack rather than an outlier in either direction.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University (this school) | 31 | $17,956 | $42,189 |
| DeVry University-New Jersey | 32 | $26,565 | $45,987 |
| DeVry College of New York | 31 | $12,855 | $45,987 |
| Grand Canyon University | 25 | $22,472 | $42,186 |
| Strayer University-Florida | 24 | $16,064 | $40,092 |
| DeVry University-Ohio | 23 | $25,001 | $45,987 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment is large at 18,364 students, with 38.5% Pell-eligible -- skewing heavily toward working adults rather than traditional 18-22-year-olds. The fit is narrow: mid-career professionals using employer tuition assistance to credential-up in nursing, IT, or healthcare administration may genuinely benefit. Traditional-age students borrowing the full sticker price face very weak completion odds and stagnant 10-year earnings. The nursing program (5,561 graduates, B+ ROI) is the only standout track. Outside that, undergraduate-only borrowers should treat Capella as a high-risk option.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Capella University. With a net cost of $17,956 per year and median graduate earnings of only $42,189 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 29.5 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Key strengths include manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and a 20.0% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $14,968 against $42,189 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.