Ottawa University-Ottawa — ROI, Cost & Payback
Ottawa University-Ottawa charges a net price of $27,963/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $111,852. Graduates earn a median $55,552 ten years after entry, $7,192/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 15.6 years — a 20-year net return of $31,988, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Ottawa University-Ottawa's 15.6-year payback ranks #980 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 24% of them, and #11 of 57 in Kansas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $27,963/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $111,852 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $55,552 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $7,192/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 15.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $31,988 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Ottawa University-Ottawa's own numbers. Net price $27,963 × 4 years = $111,852 total. Median earnings $55,552 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $7,192 a year of premium. $111,852 ÷ $7,192 = 15.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $31,988. 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 Ottawa University-Ottawa students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $55,552 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Ottawa University-Ottawa students graduate?
28% finish their degree — 72% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $111,852 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $399,471 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Ottawa University-Ottawa expensive compared with other Kansas colleges?
Its $27,963 net price runs $12,683 above the $15,280 median across the 57 Kansas colleges we profile, or $50,732 more across the full degree.