Ohio Dominican University
Columbus, Ohio · Private Nonprofit · 94.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 35/100 · Poor Value
Ohio Dominican University, a small Catholic-Dominican private in Columbus, Ohio, scores 35 out of 100 on ROI -- a Poor Value tier rating driven primarily by weak completion. ODU's 41% completion rate means more than half of entering students do not finish in six years, which dominates the score. Median earnings six years after entry are $37,400, climbing to $51,748 at year ten -- modest but with a reasonable trajectory. Median debt is $26,000, debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.695, and payback period is 13.2 years (better than many peers). Sticker tuition is $35,720, but net price drops to $20,079 -- meaningful institutional discounting. Four-year total cost is $80,316. The repayment-rate sub-score of 19 (61% reducing principal) is a real concern. ODU's program data is sparse (only 6 programs reported with earnings, and just 110 total annotated graduates) but the available numbers suggest middling outcomes across the board with no standout strong programs. The school's mission, small-cohort, and faith-based environment have value; the financial-outcome data does not strongly support the price tag.
The data raises concerns about Ohio Dominican University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score35/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Ohio Dominican University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $35,720/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $35,720/yr |
| Average net price | $20,079/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $80,316 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,748 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 41.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 760 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Ohio Dominican University is $35,720/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $20,079/year, or roughly $80,316 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $16,997/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,999/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $276 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $51,748 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.69 - 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 | $16,997 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,459 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,572 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,907 |
| $110,001+ | $22,999 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $16,997 net annually -- meaningful institutional aid relative to the $35,720 sticker. Pell + Ohio Need-Based aid does substantial work here. Four-year exposure of about $68,000 against $37,400 median earnings is workable but tight. ODU is most defensible at this income tier when paired with strong academic prep and a clear major plan.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $19,572, and $75,001-$110,000 pays $21,907 -- progressive net pricing as expected. Four-year cost runs $78,000-$88,000. Middle-income families should compare hard to Ohio State and OU, both of which deliver similar or better ROI at similar cost. ODU's value-add at this tier is mission/community, not financial.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $22,999 net per year -- four-year cost of about $92,000. Institutional aid still meaningfully discounts sticker, but the absolute price is high relative to outcomes. At this tier ODU only makes sense as a values/community choice; flagship Ohio publics deliver better ROI.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Ohio Dominican University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $61,628 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,823 | C |
| Biology | $90,431 | D |
| Accounting | $65,961 | - |
| Finance and Financial Management | $71,644 | - |
| Teacher Education | $41,174 | 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.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business admin is ODU's largest reporting program at 31 graduates: $49,163 first-year earnings, $63,823 by year four, $29,666 median debt, and a 0.603 ratio for a C grade. The four-year ramp is reasonable but year-one earnings are middling for a private-college tuition. The high debt load is the binding constraint -- students should pressure-test net-price-calculator output and merit-aid eligibility hard before committing.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology produces 40 graduates -- the largest program by volume -- with $40,467 first-year earnings rising to $61,628 by year four, $27,000 median debt, and a 0.667 ratio for a C grade. As at most schools, kinesiology functions as a pre-graduate-school feeder for PT/OT/athletic training. Bachelor's-only outcomes here are middling. Students entering the major need a clear graduate-school plan.
Biology
Biology produces 22 graduates with $38,548 first-year earnings rising sharply to $90,431 by year four -- a striking trajectory likely reflecting medical/dental/PA school graduates entering practice. Debt of $27,000 against year-one earnings produces a 0.7 ratio and a D grade by the formula, but the underlying career path is potentially much stronger than the headline grade suggests. Biology at ODU pencils only for students committed to graduate-level health professions.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 53.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 61.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 61.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 94.2% |
| Enrollment | 760 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,164 |
Admission rate is 94.23% -- effectively open access. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported, consistent with test-optional admissions at small Catholic colleges. The 41% completion rate aligns with this near-open-access profile -- entering students often arrive with significant academic-prep needs. Stronger-credentialed students who choose ODU for mission/community fit are the ones most likely to capture the school's positive outcomes.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
ODU's peer set includes Allegheny Wesleyan College, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Corban University, Peirce College, and Pfeiffer University. Pfeiffer (NC Methodist private) and Corban (OR Christian private) are the closest functional peers -- small, faith-based, mission-driven privates with similar middling ROI profiles. Allegheny Wesleyan is much smaller and more niche. Art Academy of Cincinnati and Peirce College have specialized program mixes. Within this peer set ODU is mid-pack on ROI; Pfeiffer typically posts slightly stronger completion, Corban slightly weaker.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Dominican University (this school) | 35 | $20,079 | $51,748 |
| Peirce College | 38 | $12,148 | $50,660 |
| Corban University | 35 | $28,035 | $48,917 |
| Pfeiffer University | 34 | $19,076 | $51,562 |
| Allegheny Wesleyan College | 29 | $5,355 | $37,453 |
| Art Academy of Cincinnati | 9 | $34,253 | $34,368 |
Who Thrives Here
ODU fits Columbus-area students seeking a small, Catholic, residential liberal-arts experience close to home. Pell rate is 36.91% -- middle/working-class skew, with enrollment of just 760 supporting genuine small-cohort education. Athletes (ODU has Division II programs), pre-health students aiming at Mount Carmel or OhioHealth pipelines, and education students who value the Dominican-tradition values commitment will find a coherent community here. Students drawn primarily by ROI should compare against Ohio State Columbus or Ohio University, which deliver materially better outcomes at similar (or lower) net prices.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Ohio Dominican University. With a net cost of $20,079 per year and median graduate earnings of only $51,748 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 13.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 41.0% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $26,000 against $51,748 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.