Olivet Nazarene University
#7 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 61% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,213 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,729 C-
- 21% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 56% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.0 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $14.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,075,741.
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 30% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Olivet Nazarene University Matters
Olivet Nazarene University is a private university in Bourbonnais, 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,603
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 59
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Engineering
Why students choose Olivet Nazarene 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 56% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 950–1220. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,729 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,213 ten years after enrolling — 30% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 64% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Over 61% of students graduate from Olivet Nazarene University, a solid figure for a private nonprofit institution. This reflects the university's commitment to supporting its students through to completion. With an acceptance rate of 56%, students have a fair chance of gaining admission into this tightly-knit community.
Data from Chetty/Opportunity Insights shows that while specific mobility rates are not available, the university's focus on programs in business, health, education, and engineering may enhance graduates' earning potential. Alumni earn an average of $53,213 ten years after graduation, indicating a positive return on investment for students. The economic context suggests that students from various backgrounds can find pathways to success.
The net price of attendance stands at $20,729, with a median debt of $25,000 for graduates. Given the Pell Grant rate of 38%, many students receive financial aid to help offset costs. This environment is conducive for those who thrive in a supportive, faith-based setting, particularly individuals pursuing careers in high-demand fields.
Rankings
- #7 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois
- #8 Best Online Nursing Programs in Illinois
- #9 Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois
- #9 Best Online Education Programs in Illinois
- #11 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois
- #11 Best Online Business Programs in Illinois
- #15 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Illinois
- #17 Best Communications Colleges in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Olivet Nazarene 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 Olivet Nazarene University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bourbonnais, Illinois, Olivet Nazarene University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 56% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,117. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 56%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- SAT Average
- 1117
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 950–1220
- ACT Range
- 19–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 46%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,582
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 6,196
- Admitted
- 3,581
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 Olivet Nazarene University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Olivet Nazarene University is $38,900, 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 $20,729. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,232 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $38,900
- Out-of-State
- $38,900
- Avg Net Price
- $20,729
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 63%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,232
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,056
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,019
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,580
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Olivet Nazarene University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $53,213, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,278
- 8 Years
- $53,428
- 10 Years
- $53,213
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (415)
- 53%
- 100% (415)
- 53%
- 100% (415)
- 53%
- 100% (415)
- 53%
How Olivet 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 Olivet Nazarene University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Olivet Nazarene University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,729/year ($82,916 total). Graduates earn $53,213 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,158,657 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,075,741 (14.0× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 61% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $82,916
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,158,657
- Net Return
- $1,075,741
- ROI Multiple
- 14.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,729
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
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 Olivet Nazarene University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Olivet Nazarene University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.22%, well above the typical college. About 6.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.22%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $81,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-11,073,105
Top Programs
The fields Olivet Nazarene University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Health Professions 14%
- Education 9%
- Engineering 7%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Communications 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Olivet Nazarene 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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Olivet Nazarene University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bourbonnais, Illinois, Olivet Nazarene University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 56% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,117. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Olivet Nazarene University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Olivet Nazarene University is $38,900, 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 $20,729. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,232 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Olivet Nazarene University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $53,213, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Olivet Nazarene University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Olivet Nazarene University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.22%, well above the typical college. About 6.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Olivet Nazarene 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 Olivet Nazarene University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Olivet Nazarene University.
- Berry CollegeMount Berry, GA · Close peer72% grad $53,800 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer56% grad $53,610 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead, MN · Close peer56% grad $50,527 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bemidji State UniversityBemidji, MN · Close peer51% grad $53,755 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ohio Wesleyan UniversityDelaware, OH · Close peer60% grad $55,624 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Brigham Young University-HawaiiLaie, HI · Close peer54% grad $52,064 earn 47% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Olivet Nazarene 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 Olivet Nazarene University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note