Bradley University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Bradley University charges a net price of $22,719/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $90,876. Graduates earn a median $66,852 ten years after entry, $18,492/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.9 years — a 20-year net return of $278,964, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Bradley University's 4.9-year payback ranks #408 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 68% of them, and #12 of 116 in Illinois.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $22,719/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $90,876 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $66,852 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $18,492/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $278,964 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Bradley University's own numbers. Net price $22,719 × 4 years = $90,876 total. Median earnings $66,852 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $18,492 a year of premium. $90,876 ÷ $18,492 = 4.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $278,964. 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 Bradley University students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $66,852 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Bradley University students graduate?
76% finish their degree. Spread the $90,876 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $119,574 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Bradley University expensive compared with other Illinois colleges?
Its $22,719 net price runs $8,969 above the $13,750 median across the 116 Illinois colleges we profile, or $35,876 more across the full degree.