Anderson University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Anderson University charges a net price of $25,021/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $100,084. Graduates earn a median $48,899 ten years after entry, $539/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 185.7 years — a 20-year net return of -$89,304, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Anderson University's 185.7-year payback ranks #1,249 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 3% of them, and #30 of 56 in Indiana.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $25,021/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $100,084 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,899 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $539/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 185.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$89,304 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Anderson University's own numbers. Net price $25,021 × 4 years = $100,084 total. Median earnings $48,899 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $539 a year of premium. $100,084 ÷ $539 = 185.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$89,304. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Anderson University students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 55% of the $48,899 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Anderson University students graduate?
54% finish their degree — 46% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $100,084 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $185,341 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Anderson University expensive compared with other Indiana colleges?
Its $25,021 net price runs $5,324 above the $19,698 median across the 56 Indiana colleges we profile, or $21,294 more across the full degree.