Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Chadron State College #664 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $51,820, placing Chadron State College in the 11.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Chadron State College sits in the 29.7 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting broad access and meaningful upward mobility for graduates.
Azimuth ranks Chadron State College #664 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Chadron, NE, Chadron State College enrolls roughly 1,540 undergraduates. Retention is 63.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 50.4%, reflecting solid persistence and completion outcomes for a regional public institution. Where Chadron State College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Chadron State College #884 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $51,820, and Chadron State College earn about $3,460 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 72.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program mix is anchored in Education, which aligns with strong regional demand for educators and reflects Chadron State College's identity as a teacher-preparation institution. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Chadron State College sits in the 46.0 percentile for access and the 89.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, while mobility outcomes place the institution in the 29.7 percentile. For students seeking a public institution with manageable costs and a clear pathway into stable, in-demand careers — particularly in education and related fields — Chadron State College delivers meaningful long-term financial returns relative to the no-degree baseline and comparable regional alternatives.
Chadron State College's published cost of attendance is $21,132. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public tuition structure and need-based aid availability: low-income families pay approximately $10,047, middle-income families pay around $12,561, and higher-income families pay approximately $16,047. Azimuth ranks Chadron State College #146 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. Chadron State College participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's rural location in the Nebraska Panhandle contributes to a lower cost-of-attendance baseline compared with urban and suburban public universities, which shapes both sticker price and net-price positioning. Families should review the institution's financial aid page for current aid policies and application requirements. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,875, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $10,035; 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 a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $51,820, median federal debt of $18,875 projects to a monthly payment of about $213 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Chadron State College is a strong fit for students seeking an affordable public university in NE with a focus on Education programs and regional career pathways. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $51,820, placing Chadron State College in the 11.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $3,460 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 72.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a significant population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 37.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 39.3% are first-generation — with a net price for higher-income families of $16,047 after aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix leans heavily toward Education (23% of degrees), and median federal debt of $18,875 suggests students should carefully weigh program choice against earnings potential.
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
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Chadron State College 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.
Chadron State College's published cost of attendance is $21,132. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public tuition structure and need-based aid availability: low-income families pay approximately $10,047, middle-income families pay around $12,561, and higher-income families pay approximately $16,047.
Azimuth ranks Chadron State College #146 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.
Chadron State College participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's rural location in the Nebraska Panhandle contributes to a lower cost-of-attendance baseline compared with urban and suburban public universities, which shapes both sticker price and net-price positioning.
Families should review the institution's [financial aid page](https://www.chadron.edu/) for current aid policies and application requirements. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,875, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $10,035; 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 a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $51,820, median federal debt of $18,875 projects to a monthly payment of about $213 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 Chadron State College earn median 4-year earnings of $51,820, placing the institution in the 11.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,460 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Chadron State College in the 72.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Chadron State College #884 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Chadron State College's concentration in education and human services fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 80 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $58,263, at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. Interdisciplinary Studies enrolls 55 graduates earning $44,030, while Teacher Education with 37 graduates reaches $45,577.
Plant Sciences and Subject-Specific Teacher Education round out the top programs, with graduates earning $53,484 and $50,643 respectively. These outcomes reflect the institution's mission-driven focus on preparing educators and service professionals for careers in rural and underserved communities across the Great Plains.
Biology, General
13 graduates
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
10 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
80 graduates
Plant Sciences
28 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
25 graduates
Chadron State College serves a regional student body with a program portfolio centered on Education and applied professional fields. The largest programs by enrollment are Business Administration with 80 graduates earning $58,263 four years after enrollment, followed by Interdisciplinary Studies with 55 graduates, Teacher Education with 37 graduates, Plant Sciences with 28 graduates, and Subject-Specific Teacher Education with 25 graduates.
Across 16 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 359 students annually. The program mix reflects Chadron State College's identity as a regional public institution with particular strength in Education at 23%, Business at 22%, and Arts at 1%.
The highest-earning programs include Business Administration with graduates earning $58,263 four years after enrollment, Plant Sciences with graduates earning $53,484, Subject-Specific Teacher Education with graduates earning $50,643, Criminal Justice with graduates earning $46,495, and Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other with graduates earning $46,183. This earnings distribution reflects the institution's focus on fields with direct workforce entry and stable regional labor-market demand.
Many of Chadron State College's dominant program families—particularly Education—represent high-demand pathways in rural and regional labor markets where the institution's graduates establish careers. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional employment trends and long-term wage stability in the Great Plains.
