Park University
Parkville, Missouri · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 50/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Park University scores 50 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. Average 6-year earnings of $42,200 are moderate and the repayment rate of 62.6% is low, meaning more than a third of borrowers are not making progress on their debt after several years. Parkville, Missouri is the home campus but the university operates extensively online and through military base locations, which shapes its student demographics. Pell grant rate of 40.9% indicates a significant low-income population. The top programs by ROI are technology-heavy: Management Information Systems earns an A grade ($71,845 year one, $85,162 year four, debt-to-earnings 0.159) and Computer Systems Networking earns an A grade ($71,601 year one). Business Administration (420 graduates) is the largest program by far and earns a B grade ($53,201 year one, $68,135 year four). The breadth of the program list is wide but outcomes are uneven - psychology and kinesiology carry D grades with near-100% debt-to-earnings ratios.
How Park University scores under our methodology
These are the College Scorecard measures that pull this school's CampusROI score down. They describe the published figures, not the quality of the education, and they are our reading of the data. Check them against your own aid offer and intended major.
- 6-year graduation rate38.4% - The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our score, since a degree that is not finished rarely pays back.
Park University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $17,500/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $17,500/yr |
| Average net price | $21,032/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $84,128 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,309 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,685 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $230 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 38.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,555 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $17,500/year, which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $21,032/year, or roughly $84,128 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $18,687/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,064/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $21,685, which works out to about $230 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($42,200) and comes to 0.51, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
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 | $18,687 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,412 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,620 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,208 |
| $110,001+ | $24,064 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $18,687 per year - not a low net price for this earnings profile. For Pell-eligible students, the net price exceeds what one might expect given the outcomes. The 38.4% completion rate means low-income students face a meaningful risk of leaving without a degree and still carrying debt.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $22,620 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $23,208. These are near-full-cost figures for a $21,032 average net price, reflecting limited aid at middle income levels.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $24,064 per year - essentially full net cost. Over four years that approaches $96,000 all-in. The exception is the MIS and tech programs, where graduates reach $71-85k quickly, making the investment defensible.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Park University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $68,135 | B |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $54,849 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $59,401 | B |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $78,561 | B |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $60,509 | C+ |
| Psychology | $47,818 | D |
| Human Resources Management | $61,818 | B |
| Accounting | $65,636 | C |
| Teacher Education | $45,525 | D |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $58,170 | B |
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.
Management Information Systems
Management Information Systems (16 graduates) is the highest-yield program by ROI grade: A grade, $71,845 year-one earnings, $85,162 at year four, with median debt of $11,453 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.159. The debt figure is remarkably low, reflecting either transfer credit, employer reimbursement, or short completion paths common in this student population. The earnings are strong for a private regional with open admissions. This is the best documented ROI case in Park's program portfolio.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is Park's dominant program with 420 graduates - by far the largest volume - and earns a B grade: $53,201 year-one earnings, $68,135 at year four, with median debt of $22,472 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.422. For a population that includes many working adults returning to earn a credential, these outcomes are reasonable. The four-year trajectory to $68k reflects career advancement more than entry-level placement. Volume and accessibility are this program's strengths.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (120 graduates) earns a B grade: $49,305 year one, $59,401 at year four, with median debt of $18,299 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.371. The relatively low debt figure (likely reflecting military/employer benefits that reduce borrowing) keeps the ratio manageable.
Psychology
Psychology (67 graduates) earns a D grade: $30,973 year-one earnings, $47,818 at year four, with median debt of $29,577 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.955. Year-one earnings are below what is needed to service this debt load comfortably. The ratio is near 1.0, meaning annual debt nearly equals annual earnings at year one. Students interested in psychology who need a terminal bachelor's credential for career advancement should weigh this outcome carefully.
Research and Experimental Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology (133 graduates) earns a C grade: $40,313 year one, $54,849 at year four, with median debt of $24,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.595. This is a somewhat stronger outcome than the Psychology program above, suggesting this designation attracts students with better post-graduation employment, possibly in research or applied behavioral roles. The earnings are modest but the debt-to-earnings is more manageable.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 56.3% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 62.6% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.8% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 65.2% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Park University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 4,555 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 40.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,060 |
Scorecard does not report admission rate or standardized test score ranges for Park University. The institution appears to operate with open or near-open admissions, consistent with its broad access mission across residential, online, and military delivery formats.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Park's overall ROI score is 50.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park University (this school) | 50 | $21,032 | $56,309 |
| Avila University | 51 | $16,053 | $52,773 |
| Touro University | 50 | $29,627 | $53,419 |
| High Point University | 50 | $38,707 | $61,389 |
| University of Hartford | 49 | $30,282 | $60,823 |
| Mission University | 15 | $21,383 | $38,641 |
Who Thrives Here
Scorecard does not report admission rate or test score ranges for Park University. Enrollment of 4,555 spans multiple modalities including residential, online, and military-affiliated sites. The institution serves a substantial military and adult learner population, which influences its geographic spread and program emphasis. Pell grant rate of 40.9% confirms significant need-based enrollment. Students seeking a straightforward business or technology credential - especially working adults or military-affiliated students - are the target fit. Traditional 18-22 year old students seeking a traditional campus experience may find the commuter/online orientation a mismatch.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Park University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $21,032 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $56,309 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 10.5 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 38.4% graduation rate, a three-year loan repayment rate of 62.6% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%).
Median debt of $21,685 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $42,200 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Park University: Common Questions
Is Park University worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Park University scores 50/100 on our ROI scale. At $21,032 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $56,309 ten years after entry, so it takes about 10.5 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Park University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $21,032 a year, or roughly $84,128 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Park University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $56,309 ten years after enrolling, roughly $14,509 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Park University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 10.5 years for Park University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Park University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $21,685, against average earnings of $42,200 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Park University?
The six-year graduation rate is 38.4%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.