Caldwell University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Caldwell University charges a net price of $24,691/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $98,764. Graduates earn a median $53,843 ten years after entry, $5,483/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 18 years — a 20-year net return of $10,896, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Caldwell University's 18-year payback ranks #1,027 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 20% of them, and #32 of 78 in New Jersey.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $24,691/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $98,764 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $53,843 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,483/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 18 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $10,896 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Caldwell University's own numbers. Net price $24,691 × 4 years = $98,764 total. Median earnings $53,843 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,483 a year of premium. $98,764 ÷ $5,483 = 18 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $10,896. 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 Caldwell University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 46% of the $53,843 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Caldwell University students graduate?
57% finish their degree — 43% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $98,764 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $173,270 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Caldwell University expensive compared with other New Jersey colleges?
Its $24,691 net price runs $4,274 above the $20,418 median across the 78 New Jersey colleges we profile, or $17,094 more across the full degree.