Students at Madonna University benefit from earnings that exceed expectations, particularly those in the institution's signature nursing and healthcare programs.
The university delivers above-average financial outcomes while maintaining the personalized attention and career focus that characterize quality small private colleges.
Madonna University ranks as a small private nonprofit institution in Michigan that delivers above-average long-term earnings outcomes for its graduates. Located in Livonia, the university serves a diverse student body where about 30% receive Pell Grants and over 40% are first-generation college students, reflecting its commitment to providing accessible private education. Despite its modest size, Madonna achieves solid financial outcomes with graduates earning a median of $59,058 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution above typical expectations for similar colleges.
The university's strength lies particularly in its nursing and healthcare programs, which drive much of its strong return on investment. Adult Health Nursing graduates, who represent the largest program cohort with 170 students, earn around $59,066 ten years out, demonstrating the institution's ability to prepare students for stable, well-paying healthcare careers. This focus on professional programs helps explain why Madonna's graduates earn more than expected compared with similar students at other institutions.
As a small private college, Madonna University offers the personalized attention and close faculty relationships that many students seek, while maintaining affordability levels that make private education accessible to middle-income families. The combination of career-focused programs, particularly in nursing and business, with a supportive campus environment creates a pathway for students who want both the benefits of private education and practical preparation for stable careers.
Madonna University's program portfolio centers on practical, career-oriented fields that prepare students for stable employment, with nursing and healthcare programs forming the institutional backbone. Adult Health Nursing dominates the academic landscape with 170 graduates annually, reflecting both student demand and the university's established expertise in healthcare education. These nursing graduates achieve median earnings of $59,066 ten years out, demonstrating the strong return on investment that comes from Madonna's focused approach to professional preparation.
Business Administration represents the second-largest program with 51 graduates, though early-career earnings around $38,289 are more modest compared to the nursing programs. Corrections Administration, also graduating 51 students, shows earnings of approximately $41,342, reflecting opportunities in Michigan's criminal justice and public safety sectors. This program mix illustrates Madonna's commitment to preparing students for specific career paths rather than offering broad liberal arts education.
The university's strength lies in its concentrated expertise and industry connections, particularly in healthcare where clinical partnerships and employer relationships translate directly into job placement opportunities. For students seeking clear pathways to stable careers in nursing, healthcare administration, or related professional fields, Madonna's focused approach and established network provide practical advantages that support both immediate employment and long-term career advancement in Michigan's healthcare sector.
Madonna University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $59,058 ten years after enrollment. This performance places the university above average nationally, and graduates earn about $4,958 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating meaningful earnings beyond expectations. The university's focus on professional programs, particularly in healthcare, helps drive these positive outcomes for students seeking stable career paths.
The strongest financial returns come from Madonna's nursing programs, which dominate the university's academic portfolio. Adult Health Nursing, the institution's largest program with 170 graduates, produces median earnings of $59,066 ten years out, reflecting the strong demand for qualified nurses in Michigan's healthcare market. Business Administration, the second-largest program with 51 graduates, shows more moderate early-career earnings around $38,289, while Corrections Administration graduates earn approximately $41,342. This pattern reflects Madonna's emphasis on practical, career-oriented education that prepares students for specific professional roles rather than broad liberal arts exploration.
The university's small size allows for focused program development and strong industry connections, particularly in healthcare fields where employer relationships and clinical partnerships directly translate into job placement and career advancement opportunities. For students interested in nursing, healthcare administration, or related fields, Madonna's concentrated expertise and established network provide clear pathways to stable, well-compensated careers in Michigan's growing healthcare sector.
Madonna University maintains relatively affordable pricing for a private institution, making it accessible to families across different income levels. Low-income students pay about $10,809 annually after aid, which represents strong value for private education, while middle-income families see net costs around $18,806 per year. Even higher-income families pay approximately $21,909, keeping private education within reach for many Michigan families who want the benefits of smaller class sizes and personalized attention.
The university's financial aid approach helps students manage costs without taking on excessive debt. Typical graduates leave with about $23,000 in federal student loan debt, a manageable level given the institution's solid earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $18,513, reflecting moderate family contributions that supplement student aid packages. With a 0% federal loan default rate, Madonna demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their educational investments and transition into stable careers that support loan repayment.
What makes Madonna particularly sustainable financially is the alignment between its program focus and career outcomes. Students investing in nursing and healthcare programs can expect earnings that comfortably support their educational debt, while the university's emphasis on practical, job-ready skills helps ensure graduates find employment in their chosen fields relatively quickly after graduation.
Madonna University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
