San Diego, CA · Private University
Is Ashford University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$35,404
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,160
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$13,160
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$52,640
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.69x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
130.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
8.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$31,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$25,321
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Ashford University graduates earn $9,596 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Ashford University ranked by graduate earnings
24 graduates
30 graduates
21 graduates
144 graduates
1,712 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Ashford University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Ashford University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Business/Managerial Economics: $70,643) and the lowest (Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language: $24,747) is $45,896/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial EconomicsBest ROI | $70,643 | 5.4x |
| International Business | $61,843 | 4.7x |
| Public Administration | $60,271 | 4.6x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $58,231 | 4.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,930 | 4.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $55,291 | 4.2x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $50,031 | 3.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,351 | 3.7x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,544 | 3.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $46,413 | 3.5x |
| History | $45,832 | 3.5x |
| Marketing | $45,421 | 3.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,789 | 3.4x |
| Real Estate | $43,375 | 3.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,621 | 3.2x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $40,572 | 3.1x |
| Social Sciences, General | $40,271 | 3.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $39,808 | 3.0x |
| Anthropology | $39,200 | 3.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $39,133 | 3.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $38,857 | 3.0x |
| Sociology | $37,947 | 2.9x |
| Psychology, General | $36,510 | 2.8x |
| Behavioral Sciences | $35,778 | 2.7x |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | $35,756 | 2.7x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $35,389 | 2.7x |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems | $34,804 | 2.6x |
| Education, General | $34,380 | 2.6x |
| Journalism | $34,239 | 2.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $34,235 | 2.6x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $34,015 | 2.6x |
| Gerontology | $33,615 | 2.5x |
| Library Science and Administration | $33,499 | 2.5x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $32,701 | 2.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,787 | 2.4x |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign LanguageLowest | $24,747 | 1.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Ashford University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $35,404 10 years after starting, $9,596 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 130.3 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.