Aurora University
#3 Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,709 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,838 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 81% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,303,007.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 44% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Aurora University Matters
Aurora University is a private doctoral / professional university in Aurora, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 3,974
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education
Why students choose Aurora University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 81% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 900–1150. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,838 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,709 ten years after enrolling — 44% above the typical college, against $20,318 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 70% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.65 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Nearly half of Aurora University students receive Pell Grants, highlighting its commitment to accessible education for low-income families. With an acceptance rate of 81%, the university welcomes a diverse student body eager to pursue degrees in fields like Business, Health Professions, and Psychology.
The earnings potential for graduates is notable, with a median salary of $58,709 ten years after graduation. While the graduation rate stands at 59%, the emphasis on practical programs equips students with skills that are relevant in today’s job market. Aurora’s data reflects a supportive environment for students aiming to improve their economic status.
Students at Aurora can expect a net price of $18,838, with a median debt of $20,318 upon graduation. This financial landscape suggests that while costs are manageable, students should be mindful of their debt levels. Those who thrive here are often motivated individuals seeking a balanced education that prepares them for careers in various industries, particularly in fields with strong job growth.
Rankings
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois
- #5 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois
- #5 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois
- #6 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois
- #6 Best Online Business Programs in Illinois
- #6 Best Online Nursing Programs in Illinois
- #6 Best Online Education Programs in Illinois
- #11 Best MBA Programs in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Aurora University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Aurora University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Aurora, Illinois, Aurora University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,076. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1076
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 900–1150
- ACT Range
- 21–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 25%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,142
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 46%
- Applicants
- 2,922
- Admitted
- 2,393
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Aurora University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Aurora University is $29,170, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,838. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,525 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,318 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $29,170
- Out-of-State
- $29,170
- Avg Net Price
- $18,838
- Median Debt
- $20,318
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,525
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,089
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,431
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,595
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Aurora University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Aurora University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Aurora University earn a median of $58,709, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,237
- 8 Years
- $54,510
- 10 Years
- $58,709
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (278)
- 47%
- 100% (278)
- 47%
- 100% (278)
- 47%
- 100% (278)
- 47%
How Aurora Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Aurora University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Aurora University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,838/year ($75,352 total). Graduates earn $58,709 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,378,359 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,303,007 (18.3× your investment). The median debt is $20,318, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $75,352
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,378,359
- Net Return
- $1,303,007
- ROI Multiple
- 18.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,838
- Median Debt
- $20,318
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Aurora University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Aurora University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.10%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.10%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $118,338
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-4,532,470
Top Programs
The fields Aurora University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 23% $74,453 early-career
- Business & Marketing 22% $59,534 early-career
- Psychology 8% $34,239 early-career
- Education 7% $54,563 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $38,417 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $55,610 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 2% $33,722 early-career
- Humanities 2% $33,550 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Aurora University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Aurora University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Aurora, Illinois, Aurora University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,076. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Aurora University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Aurora University is $29,170, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,838. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,525 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,318 in federal student loans.
Is Aurora University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Aurora University earn a median of $58,709, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Aurora University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Aurora University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.10%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Aurora University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Aurora University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Aurora University.
- Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN · Close peer52% grad $59,871 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Winona State UniversityWinona, MN · Close peer59% grad $58,532 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield, MA · Close peer55% grad $57,346 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PA · Close peer62% grad $61,012 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT · Close peer58% grad $56,469 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville, GA · Close peer63% grad $58,140 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Aurora University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Aurora University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note