Walden University
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,810 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $33,817 F
- 97% more than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 9,136
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 5.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $5.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $5.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $612,130.
What The Data Says
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A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $5.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Walden University
Walden 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
- 9,136
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose Walden 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 $33,817 a year after grants and scholarships — 97% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,810 ten years after enrolling — 5% above the typical college, against $20,834 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
Walden University caters primarily to adult learners and professionals seeking to advance their careers. With nearly 9,200 students enrolled, it's a place where many pursue degrees in fields like Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. This diversity in programs reflects the school’s commitment to meeting the needs of those looking to enhance their skills and knowledge in practical, career-oriented areas.
After graduation, students can expect an average earnings of about $42,810 within ten years. While the specifics on mobility rates aren't available, this earning potential suggests that many graduates find opportunities to improve their financial standing over time. Additionally, with 55% of students receiving Pell Grants, affordability is a key aspect of the Walden experience, making it more accessible for those from lower-income backgrounds.
Looking at the financials, the net price after aid stands at $33,817, with a median debt of $20,834. This means that while the investment can be significant, many students manage to navigate their educational costs effectively. Those who thrive here typically are self-motivated and focused on practical applications of their studies, aiming to leverage their education for career advancement.
Can I Get In?
How selective Walden 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 Walden University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Walden University enrolls students across a range of programs.
- Full-Time Faculty
- 11%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,406
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 51%
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 Walden University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Walden University is $12,762, 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 $33,817. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,652 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,834 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,762
- Out-of-State
- $12,762
- Avg Net Price
- $33,817
- Median Debt
- $20,834
- Pell Grant Rate
- 55%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 69%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $32,652
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $34,983
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 Walden 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 Walden University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Walden University report median earnings of $42,810, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,657
- 8 Years
- $47,015
- 10 Years
- $42,810
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
How Walden Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
College ROI Calculator
Is Walden University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Walden University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $33,817/year ($135,268 total). Graduates earn $42,810 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $747,398 in total earnings — a net gain of $612,130 (5.5× your investment). The median debt is $20,834, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $135,268
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $747,398
- Net Return
- $612,130
- ROI Multiple
- 5.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $33,817
- Median Debt
- $20,834
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Walden 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 31% $92,069 early-career
- Education 21% $61,913 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $65,806 early-career
- Psychology 9% $45,495 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $55,038 early-career
- Communications 1% $45,495 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 1% $68,105 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 Walden 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Walden University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Walden University enrolls students across a range of programs.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Walden University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Walden University is $12,762, 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 $33,817. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,652 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,834 in federal student loans.
Is Walden University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Walden University report median earnings of $42,810, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Walden University.
- ECPI UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · Close peer44% grad $42,837 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings
- Strayer University-Global RegionWashington, DC · Close peer23% grad $40,092 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN · Close peer53% grad $39,080 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · same state
- Capella UniversityMinneapolis, MN · Strong match27% grad $42,189 earnWhy: similar earnings · same state
- Rocky Mountain College of Art and DesignLakewood, CO · Strong match34% grad $42,958 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar net price
- Post UniversityWaterbury, CT · Strong match29% grad $38,696 earnWhy: similar earnings
