Capital University
#10 Best Education Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 63% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,143 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,576 D+
- 32% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 70% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.7 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Education Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $14.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,238,048.
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 33% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Capital University Matters
Capital University is a private university in Columbus, OH 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,585
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 39
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Capital 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
Competitive — admits about 70% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 910–1180. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,576 a year after grants and scholarships — 32% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,143 ten years after enrolling — 33% above the typical college, against $26,889 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 82% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.70 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 1,585 students, Capital University is an ideal choice for those looking for a close-knit community where personalized attention is key. The school is particularly known for its programs in Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, and Psychology. This diversity allows students to explore various fields while receiving a well-rounded education that prepares them for real-world challenges.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years post-degree sit at $54,143. That’s a solid figure, especially considering the investment made in their education. While the graduation rate is 63%, many students find paths that lead to fruitful careers in their chosen fields. The affordability of Capital is also noteworthy, providing a reasonable financial option for students seeking a quality education without an overwhelming debt burden.
When it comes to the practicalities, attending Capital University will cost about $22,576 after financial aid, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $26,889. It’s a manageable amount for many, especially given the potential earnings after graduation. Those who tend to thrive here are often those who value a supportive environment and are eager to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Capital 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 Capital University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Columbus, Ohio, Capital University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 70%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,068. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 70%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1068
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 910–1180
- ACT Range
- 18–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 46%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,673
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 4,370
- Admitted
- 3,153
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 Capital University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Capital University is $43,234, 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 $22,576. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,062 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,889 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $43,234
- Out-of-State
- $43,234
- Avg Net Price
- $22,576
- Median Debt
- $26,889
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 63%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,062
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,574
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,331
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,299
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 Capital 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 Capital University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Capital University earn a median of $54,143, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,767
- 8 Years
- $49,433
- 10 Years
- $54,143
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (375)
- 53%
- 100% (375)
- 53%
- 100% (375)
- 53%
- 100% (375)
- 53%
How Capital 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 Capital University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Capital University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,576/year ($90,304 total). Graduates earn $54,143 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,328,352 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,238,048 (14.7× your investment). The median debt is $26,889, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 63% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $90,304
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,328,352
- Net Return
- $1,238,048
- ROI Multiple
- 14.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,576
- Median Debt
- $26,889
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
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 Capital University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Capital 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 0.91%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.91%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $114,262
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,093,721
- Investment Income
- $-14,246,389
Top Programs
The fields Capital 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.
- Business & Marketing 14% $68,105 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $71,333 early-career
- Education 13% $43,440 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 11% $32,002 early-career
- Social Sciences 9% $40,390 early-career
- Psychology 6% $33,796 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $32,815 early-career
- Communications 5% $47,608 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 Capital 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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Capital University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Columbus, Ohio, Capital University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 70%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,068. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Capital University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Capital University is $43,234, 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 $22,576. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,062 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,889 in federal student loans.
Is Capital University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Capital University earn a median of $54,143, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Capital University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Capital 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 0.91%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Capital 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 Capital University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, 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 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Capital University offer Early Decision?
No. Capital University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Capital University.
- Adrian CollegeAdrian, MI · Close peer52% grad $55,504 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of EvansvilleEvansville, IN · Close peer68% grad $53,770 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Caldwell UniversityCaldwell, NJ · Close peer58% grad $53,843 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer65% grad $55,031 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oklahoma City UniversityOklahoma City, OK · Close peer65% grad $54,655 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Viterbo UniversityLa Crosse, WI · Close peer67% grad $55,660 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Capital 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 Capital University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, 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 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note