Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Ashland University #948 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,672 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Ashland University in the 65.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Ashland University #1132 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Ashland University #948 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Ashland, Ohio, Ashland University enrolls roughly 2,199 undergraduates. Retention is 76.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 60.6%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Ashland University delivers meaningful returns on investment for its graduates. Azimuth ranks Ashland University #736 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,672 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Ashland University in the 65.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the university's concentration in Health fields, where demand and earning trajectories tend to be strong and stable. Access and affordability round out the composite profile. Ashland University enrolls 28.8% Pell-eligible students and 40.9% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the institution to serve students across income and educational-background spectrums. Azimuth ranks Ashland University in the 42.5 percentile for affordability and the 42.3 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the balance between sticker price, aid availability, and the breadth of students the university enrolls. For families evaluating long-term value, Ashland University offers a private education with demonstrated earnings outcomes and meaningful access for low-income and first-generation students.
Ashland University's published cost of attendance is $43,434. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,489, middle-income families pay around $19,052, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,507. Azimuth ranks Ashland University #820 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The institution participates in federal need-based aid programs and works with families to bridge the gap between sticker price and what they actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,110; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,855, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Ashland University is a strong fit for students interested in health professions who want a private university experience in OH. The university's program mix leans heavily toward health fields, with Health accounting for 20% of degrees. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,855, placing Ashland University in the 45.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $1,672 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 65.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports access for Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.9% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $26,507, and median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 76.4% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health fields over other disciplines. Students whose interests align with health professions will find strong outcomes in this focused academic environment.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Ashland University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Ashland University's published cost of attendance is $43,434. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,489, middle-income families pay around $19,052, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,507.
Azimuth ranks Ashland University #820 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
The institution participates in federal need-based aid programs and works with families to bridge the gap between sticker price and what they actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,110; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,855, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Ashland University earn median 4-year earnings of $59,855, placing Ashland University in the 45.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,672 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Ashland University in the 65.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Ashland University #736 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Ashland University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 161 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $73,222, representing 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 37 students with median 4-year earnings of $68,823, while Subject-Specific Teacher Education and Biology, General round out the top programs with 34 and 31 graduates respectively.
These health and allied health programs anchor the institution's earnings profile and align with stable, in-demand career pathways in OH.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hallmark University Similar quality tier (#27600 ranked) | TX | 51% | $40,183 | #27600 | Compare |
William Penn University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28120 ranked) | IA | 52% | $48,936 | #28120 | Compare |
Mercy College Of Health Sciences Similar quality tier in Midwest (#27599 ranked) | IA | 100% | $62,234 | #27599 | Compare |
Concordia University Texas Similar quality tier (#28121 ranked) | TX | 91% | $60,883 | #28121 | Compare |
Presbyterian College Similar quality tier (#28123 ranked) | SC | 68% | $60,194 | #28123 | Compare |
Accounting and Related Services
26 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
12 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
161 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
37 graduates
Marketing
19 graduates
Ashland University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied sciences, reflecting the institution's focus on career-ready, workforce-aligned education. Nursing is the largest program with 161 graduates annually, followed by Business Administration, Subject-Specific Teacher Education, Biology, General, and Teacher Education.
Across 31 total programs serving roughly 651 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with particular strength in health and nursing-related fields. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentration in Health.
Accounting leads with median earnings of $80,065 four years after enrollment, followed by Nursing at $73,222, Business Administration at $68,823, Biology, General at $62,624, and Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences at $61,199. These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in stable, in-demand sectors.
Ashland University's program portfolio emphasizes applied professional preparation over research-intensive or grad-school-dependent tracks. The concentration in Business (approximately 20%), Education (approximately 13%), and Social Sciences (approximately 3%) aligns with regional and national demand for healthcare workers, educators, and business professionals.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with labor-market growth and wage trends.
