Capella University vs North Central University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Central University comes closer — median earnings $45,064 against a $103,268 total, vs $42,189 at Capella University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Capella University | North Central University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,956 | $25,817 |
| Total net cost | $71,824 | $103,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,189 | $45,064 |
| Median debt | $14,968 | $23,200 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$195,244 | -$169,188 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Capella University or North Central University?
Capella University, at $17,956 a year after aid versus $25,817 — a gap of $7,861 a year, or $31,444 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Capella University or North Central University graduates earn more?
North Central University graduates report a median $45,064 ten years after entry, $2,875 more than the $42,189 at Capella University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Capella University or North Central University?
Capella University: its completers carry a median $14,968 in federal loans versus $23,200 at North Central University, a difference of $8,232. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at North Central University, against 20% at Capella University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.