Capella University
- Graduation Rate
- 27% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,189 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $17,956 C
- Close to the national average
- Enrollment
- 18,364
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 10.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $10.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $678,466.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 27% — 53% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $10.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Capella University
Capella University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private for-profit Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 18,364
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Psychology, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Capella 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
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,956 a year after grants and scholarships — 5% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,189 ten years after enrolling — 3% above the typical college, against $14,968 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
Capella University might be a good fit if you're looking to balance your studies with work or family commitments. With nearly 18,400 students enrolled, it has a diverse community, and you'll find programs that cater to various interests, including Health Professions, Psychology, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, and Criminal Justice. The graduation rate stands at 27%, which suggests that while not everyone completes their degree, many are working toward their goals in a flexible environment.
When it comes to post-graduation outcomes, the average earnings after ten years is $42,189. This figure gives a solid indication of what graduates can expect as they enter the job market. While the specific mobility rate isn't provided, the data suggests that there's potential for upward movement for graduates, particularly in fields like business and health professions. Affordability is another important aspect, with many students receiving Pell Grants, reflecting a commitment to making education accessible.
Looking at the financial side, the net price for students after aid is $17,956, and the median debt upon graduation is $14,968. These figures are critical for those considering the long-term impact of their educational investments. Students who tend to thrive here often bring a strong sense of purpose and a clear vision of their career goals, which can help them navigate the challenges of college life and beyond.
Can I Get In?
How selective Capella 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 Capella University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Capella University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
- Retention Rate
- 42%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 12%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,627
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 35:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.70
- First-Gen Students
- 50%
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 Capella University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Capella University is $14,400, 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 $17,956. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,485 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,968 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,400
- Out-of-State
- $14,400
- Avg Net Price
- $17,956
- Median Debt
- $14,968
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,485
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,324
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,490
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,820
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 Capella 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 Capella University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Capella University report median earnings of $42,189, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,500
- 8 Years
- $43,273
- 10 Years
- $42,189
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
How Capella Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Capella University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Capella University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,956/year ($71,824 total). Graduates earn $42,189 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $750,290 in total earnings — a net gain of $678,466 (10.4× your investment). The median debt is $14,968, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 27% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $71,824
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $750,290
- Net Return
- $678,466
- ROI Multiple
- 10.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,956
- Median Debt
- $14,968
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Capella 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 80% $87,551 early-career
- Psychology 9% $42,914 early-career
- Business & Marketing 9% $75,097 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2% $112,175 early-career
- Criminal Justice 0% $85,824 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 Capella 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
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Capella University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Capella University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Capella University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Capella University is $14,400, 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 $17,956. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,485 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,968 in federal student loans.
Is Capella University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Capella University report median earnings of $42,189, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Capella University.
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- Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN · Strong match53% grad $39,080 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar net price · same state
- Strayer University-GeorgiaChamblee, GA · Strong match23% grad $40,092 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
