Capital University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Capital University charges a net price of $22,576/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $90,304. Graduates earn a median $54,143 ten years after entry, $5,783/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 15.6 years — a 20-year net return of $25,356, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Capital University's 15.6-year payback ranks #978 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 24% of them, and #44 of 144 in Ohio.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $22,576/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $90,304 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,143 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,783/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,889 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 15.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $25,356 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Capital University's own numbers. Net price $22,576 × 4 years = $90,304 total. Median earnings $54,143 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,783 a year of premium. $90,304 ÷ $5,783 = 15.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $25,356. 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 Capital University students graduate with?
A median $26,889 in federal loans among completers, or 50% of the $54,143 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Capital University students graduate?
60% finish their degree — 40% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $90,304 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $150,507 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Capital University expensive compared with other Ohio colleges?
Its $22,576 net price runs $2,794 above the $19,783 median across the 144 Ohio colleges we profile, or $11,174 more across the full degree.