Newman University
Wichita, Kansas · Private Nonprofit · 74.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 55/100 · Below Average Value
Newman University scores 55 (Below Average Value) with an 11-year payback period, 52.8% completion rate, and $39,500 median 6-year earnings. The Catholic liberal arts university in Wichita enrolls 851 students and has a net price of $19,971 against $35,500 sticker tuition. Median debt of $20,801 produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.527. The repayment rate of 69.5% signals that many graduates are struggling with their loans. Nursing (28 graduates, $65,957 year one) is the strongest program; most other programs fall short of covering their debt load within a reasonable timeframe.
Newman University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $35,500/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $35,500/yr |
| Average net price | $19,971/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $79,884 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,041 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,801 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $221 |
| Estimated payback period | 11 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 52.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 851 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Newman University is $35,500/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,971/year, or roughly $79,884 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $18,060/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,774/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,801 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $221 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,041 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.53 - 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 | $18,060 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,366 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,234 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,142 |
| $110,001+ | $21,774 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The $0-30,000 income bracket pays $18,060 per year at Newman. At four-year total cost of roughly $72,000 against $39,500 median 6-year earnings and an 11-year payback, the financial case is strained. Low-income students should apply for all available state and federal aid and focus on high-earning programs like nursing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($30,001-48,000) pay $16,366 -- the lowest net price tier in Newman's income schedule, a below-average aid formula quirk. The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $21,234 and the $75,001-110,000 bracket drops to $17,142. Middle-income families get inconsistent aid distribution; the $75-110k bracket actually pays less than the $48-75k tier.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,001+ pay $21,774 per year -- about $87,000 over four years. Against $39,500 median 6-year earnings and an 11-year payback, the full-pay case is weak unless the student enters nursing or health sciences. High-income Wichita families have stronger options at Wichita State University at lower net cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 4 most popular majors at Newman University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | $45,869 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $77,122 | B |
| Biology | $63,923 | B |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $37,399 | - |
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 (28 graduates) earns $65,957 year one and $77,122 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.387 (ROI grade B). Nursing is Newman's strongest financial program. The Wichita healthcare market supports reliable nursing employment. Median debt of $25,500 is moderate. Students targeting nursing at Newman face a workable ROI in a city with lower cost of living than most metro markets.
Biology
Biology (23 graduates) earns $63,923 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.352 (ROI grade B). No year-one data is available, suggesting many biology graduates are enrolled in graduate or professional school at that point. The B-grade ROI is reasonable for a pre-professional track. Students should factor in graduate school costs when assessing the full financial arc.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education is Newman's largest program at 52 graduates, earning $43,296 year one and $45,869 at year four -- near-flat growth that reflects Kansas public school salary scales. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.577 earns a C grade with $25,000 median debt. Teachers who pursue loan forgiveness through PSLF or Kansas state programs can improve this picture; those who don't face a persistent debt-income gap.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Interdisciplinary Studies (12 graduates) earns $37,399 at year one with no year-four data available. No ROI grade is reported. The year-one figure is below the institution's median 6-year earnings of $39,500, indicating this program track routes graduates into lower-wage labor market entry. Students considering a general or interdisciplinary degree at Newman should evaluate the specific career pathway carefully.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 64.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 69.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 72.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 74.0% |
| Enrollment | 851 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 12.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,512 |
Newman accepts 73.9% of applicants. No test score data is reported. Admission is broadly accessible. The completion rate is the more meaningful threshold: students who enroll should understand that the institutional average for graduation is just above half, which suggests systemic challenges in retention and persistence.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Newman's peer group includes Baker University, Benedictine College, Bryan College, Lycoming College, and Heritage University. Benedictine College is a comparable Catholic institution in Kansas with stronger athletics and mission alignment but similar small-enrollment profile. Baker University is another small Kansas private with a broadly comparable ROI profile. Within this peer group, Newman is not the weakest performer but sits near the middle, constrained by the 52.8% completion rate and Wichita's modest regional wage floor.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newman University (this school) | 55 | $19,971 | $55,041 |
| Baker University | 65 | $25,301 | $63,855 |
| Lycoming College | 54 | $19,140 | $56,210 |
| Bryan College-Dayton | 54 | $20,614 | $54,434 |
| Heritage University | 51 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| Benedictine College | 45 | $27,891 | $53,175 |
Who Thrives Here
Newman fits students seeking a small Catholic liberal arts experience in Wichita at a below-market net price and are targeting nursing, biology, or health sciences. The 73.9% acceptance rate is accessible. The 52.8% completion rate means roughly half of enrollees do not graduate -- a significant institutional risk indicator. Students entering general business, education, or social science tracks face an uphill debt-to-earnings picture. With only 851 enrolled, the campus is very small.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Newman University is mixed. At $19,971 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $55,041 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $20,801 against $55,041 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.