Muskingum University
New Concord, Ohio · Private Nonprofit · 81.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 39/100 · Poor Value
Muskingum University scores 39 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale. A small private university in New Concord, Ohio with 1,376 undergraduates, Muskingum charges $32,665 sticker tuition and $19,532 net price against $34,400 median 6-year earnings and a 16.2-year payback period. The 56.4% completion rate reflects the challenges of a small rural private university with a student body that has limited access to support. The 81.7% repayment rate suggests completers manage their debt, but the 39 ROI score signals that the cost-to-outcome equation is unfavorable for most programs. Registered Nursing leads with 30 graduates at $70,347 year-one (ROI grade B). Business Administration (37 graduates, $60,901 four-year, C grade) and Marketing (20 graduates, $60,451 four-year, C grade) are the strongest non-health programs. Kinesiology (31 graduates, F-grade, $16,067 year-one) and Teacher Education (25 graduates, $35,861 year-one, D grade) are among the worst outcomes relative to cost. The 39.1% Pell rate indicates meaningful lower- and middle-income enrollment, making the poor aggregate outcomes especially consequential.
The data raises concerns about Muskingum University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score39/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period16.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Muskingum University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $32,665/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $32,665/yr |
| Average net price | $19,532/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $78,128 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,440 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,369 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $269 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 56.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,376 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Muskingum University is $32,665/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,532/year, or roughly $78,128 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $14,684/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $23,493/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,369 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $269 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $48,440 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.74 - 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 | $14,684 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,479 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,336 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,372 |
| $110,001+ | $23,493 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from the 0-30000 bracket pay $14,684 per year -- $58,736 over four years. For nursing graduates, $58,736 is recovered in under 11 months of employment. For the majority of Muskingum's programs earning $34,000-$45,000 year-one, recovery from $58,736 takes two to four years. Low-income students should compare Muskingum's net price against Ohio University or Kent State, which may offer similar or lower net prices with stronger aggregate earnings outcomes.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $16,336 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $21,372 per year. Middle-income families paying $65,000-$85,000 total over four years will feel the 16.2-year aggregate payback acutely in non-nursing, non-business programs. The small campus experience may be worth the premium for some students, but the financial case requires nursing or a well-paying program.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $23,493 per year -- $93,972 over four years. At near-full pay, Muskingum's aggregate ROI of 39 is difficult to defend financially for most programs. Full-pay enrollment in nursing is viable; full-pay enrollment in teacher education, kinesiology, or arts is not, relative to in-state Ohio public alternatives.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Muskingum University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,901 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $47,117 | F |
| Registered Nursing | $78,994 | B |
| Teacher Education | $42,152 | D |
| Biology | $48,917 | D |
| Marketing | $60,451 | C |
| Psychology | $48,001 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,445 | D |
| Accounting | $48,949 | - |
| English Language and Literature | $37,439 | 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
Registered Nursing (30 graduates) earns $70,347 at year one and $78,994 at year four with $27,500 median debt and a 0.391 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B). Nursing is the strongest financial program at Muskingum -- year-one earnings of $70,347 against $19,532 annual net price yield a fast payback. Graduates enter the Ohio healthcare market where nursing demand is consistent. The B-grade reflects manageable debt relative to healthcare earnings.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (37 graduates) earns $45,088 at year one and $60,901 at year four with $26,975 median debt and a 0.598 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C). C-grade outcomes at $19,532 net price are average -- not poor, but not strong either. Ohio's public universities deliver comparable business outcomes at lower cost. Students choosing Muskingum for business should ensure their aid package significantly reduces net cost below the average.
Marketing
Marketing (20 graduates) earns $40,995 at year one and $60,451 at year four with $27,000 median debt and a 0.659 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade C). Marketing outcomes are similar to business administration. The C-grade reflects the debt burden relative to modest starting earnings. Four-year progression to $60,451 is competitive with Ohio regional private university marketing programs.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology (31 graduates) earns $16,067 at year one with $27,000 median debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.680 (ROI grade F). This is among the worst program-level outcomes in this dataset. Kinesiology graduates at Muskingum owe more than 1.68 times their annual earnings. Students interested in physical therapy, athletic training, or exercise science should strongly consider whether completing this program at Muskingum's price point leads to a viable financial outcome.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 75.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 73.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 78.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 81.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 450-545 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 460-560 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-22 |
| Enrollment | 1,376 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 39.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,587 |
Muskingum admits 81.8% of applicants with ACT 17-22 and SAT 450-545 Math, 460-560 Reading. The admission profile is broad. A Muskingum application is effectively an aid package evaluation -- the enrollment decision should center on what scholarship and grant awards reduce net cost below the $19,532 average, since individual awards vary significantly at small private colleges with high discount rates.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Muskingum's Scorecard peers include Allegheny Wesleyan College, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Buena Vista University, Rivier University, and Otis College of Art and Design -- an eclectic mix of small specialized institutions. Among small Ohio private colleges, Muskingum is representative of the institutional type: accessible admission, faith tradition, liberal arts, modest earnings. Heidelberg University, Ohio Dominican, and Otterbein University occupy similar market positions and would be natural comparisons for Ohio families. Muskingum's 39 ROI score places it in the lower tier of private liberal arts colleges nationally.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskingum University (this school) | 39 | $19,532 | $48,440 |
| Rivier University | 41 | $28,082 | $52,248 |
| Buena Vista University | 39 | $18,846 | $49,156 |
| Otis College of Art and Design | 36 | $51,248 | $58,152 |
| Allegheny Wesleyan College | 29 | $5,355 | $37,453 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | 9 | $34,253 | $34,368 |
Who Thrives Here
Muskingum is a small Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts university in rural eastern Ohio, about 90 minutes from Columbus. The 81.8% admission rate and ACT 17-22 mid-range indicate a broadly accessible institution. Students who are self-directed and want a small residential campus experience with access to nursing or business programs will find the community tight-knit. The rural setting and modest earnings outcomes mean Muskingum's best-fit students are those for whom the campus community and faith tradition are significant factors alongside program access. Students focused primarily on career outcomes and earnings should model whether the $19,532 net price is justified versus Ohio's public university system.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Muskingum University. With a net cost of $19,532 per year and median graduate earnings of only $48,440 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 16.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Key strengths include high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $25,369 against $48,440 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.