MidAmerica Nazarene University
Olathe, Kansas · Private Nonprofit · 78.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 62/100 · Fair Value
MidAmerica Nazarene University scores 62 (Fair Value), a middle-of-the-road result driven by an earnings premium that barely clears the national baseline and a 9.6-year payback period that reflects $37,174 sticker tuition against median 6-year earnings of $45,700. Net price of $32,165 is high for a 983-student evangelical institution in Olathe, Kansas, suggesting aid packaging does not dramatically reduce costs even for lower-income students. The 53.6% completion rate is weak -- fewer than 6 in 10 students finish within 6 years. Repayment rates are reasonable at 78.5%, suggesting those who do complete are generally managing debt, but the high dropout rate undermines the overall picture.
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $37,174/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $37,174/yr |
| Average net price | $32,165/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $128,660 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,972 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $159 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 53.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 983 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at MidAmerica Nazarene University is $37,174/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $32,165/year, or roughly $128,660 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $28,842/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $37,571/year.
The median graduate leaves with $15,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $159 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $62,972 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.33 - 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 | $28,842 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $27,294 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $30,183 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,398 |
| $110,001+ | $37,571 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The lowest income bracket (0-$30,000) pays $28,842 per year at MNU -- a striking figure that suggests the school's aid packaging leaves low-income students exposed to very high costs. At $28,842 annually, even Pell-eligible families face a net cost that exceeds many public universities. This is a significant concern: a 53.6% completion rate combined with $28,842 annual cost creates real risk of debt without a degree for low-income students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families in the $48,001-75,000 range pay $30,183 per year, and the $75,001-110,000 band pays $31,398. These figures are nearly identical to the lower brackets, indicating MNU's aid structure is relatively flat across income ranges. Middle-income families considering MNU should scrutinize whether the faith-community benefit justifies a 4-year total cost that approaches $120,000-$125,000.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $37,571 per year -- essentially approaching sticker price. At a 9.6-year payback period, the full-pay case requires careful program selection. Nursing graduates at MNU can justify the cost; general business or liberal arts graduates will struggle to build a financial case for the price.
Earnings by Major
Top 4 most popular majors at MidAmerica Nazarene University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $78,299 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,377 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $55,535 | - |
| Teacher Education | $47,730 | 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
Registered Nursing is MNU's volume leader at 149 graduates and the strongest-performing program in the catalog: $66,608 year-one earnings, $78,299 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.400 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $26,620 is higher than at comparable nursing programs at public schools, which reflects MNU's tuition structure. Still, year-one earnings in the mid-$60s for nursing graduates in the Kansas City metro are competitive, and the program produces real job outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 39 students with $58,494 year-one earnings and $64,377 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.406 (ROI grade B) is marginal -- median debt of $23,726 against $58k year-one is manageable but not comfortable. Year-four earnings of $64k are in line with Midwest regional business markets. This program performs adequately but does not differentiate MNU from lower-cost public alternatives.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 14 students with $40,676 year-one earnings and $47,730 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.661 (ROI grade C) is problematic: median debt of $26,875 against Kansas teacher salaries produces a constrained financial situation. This outcome is typical for private-college teacher education programs in the Midwest, where public school salary scales have not kept pace with rising tuition. Students considering education at MNU should compare the debt burden carefully against in-state public options.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 71.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 78.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 72.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 77.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 78.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 490-550 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 460-540 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-23 |
| Enrollment | 983 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,477 |
MNU's 78.8% admission rate and ACT range of 17-23 put it in the lower tier of selective private colleges. The ACT floor of 17 is below average nationally, confirming open access for most applicants who seek it. Test scores are collected but clearly not the primary admissions filter; students applying here are largely self-selected by mission fit rather than academic competition.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
MNU's peer group includes Baker University, Benedictine College, Marietta College, Walla Walla University, and AdventHealth University. Among small faith-based Midwest institutions, MNU's ROI score of 62 is middling. Its completion rate of 53.6% and high net price relative to earnings place it below what careful families would expect from an institution at this cost level. MNU does not stand out on any metric in this peer group.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| MidAmerica Nazarene University (this school) | 62 | $32,165 | $62,972 |
| Baker University | 65 | $25,301 | $63,855 |
| AdventHealth University | 63 | $30,135 | $72,282 |
| Walla Walla University | 62 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
| Marietta College | 60 | $21,083 | $57,180 |
| Benedictine College | 45 | $27,891 | $53,175 |
Who Thrives Here
MNU admits 78.8% of applicants, placing it in the accessible range. SAT mid-ranges of 490-550 Math and 460-540 Reading, with ACT composite 17-23, indicate a below-average academic selectivity profile. The student body is small at 983 enrolled, and the faith-based environment (Wesleyan-Holiness tradition) shapes campus culture significantly. This school fits students who prioritize Christian community, ministry-adjacent programs, and small class sizes. Students focused on maximizing financial return should look carefully at the numbers: the payback period of 9.6 years and completion rate of 53.6% present real risk.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
MidAmerica Nazarene University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $32,165 per year leads to $128,660 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $62,972 a decade out. The payback period of 9.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $15,000 is very manageable against $62,972 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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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.