Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Cornerstone University #1201 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,434 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Cornerstone University in the 34.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Cornerstone University sits in the 31.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Cornerstone University's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across Azimuth's pillars of return, affordability, and access. The institution earns about $5,434 less than similar students at comparable institutions contributes meaningfully to its overall value proposition.
Azimuth ranks Cornerstone University #1201 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornerstone University enrolls roughly 1,298 undergraduates. Retention stands at 78.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 61.9%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Where Cornerstone University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Cornerstone University #1011 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,434 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Cornerstone University in the 34.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's strength in business and professional fields, where employers actively recruit and early-career earnings remain competitive. Access and affordability anchor the composite at lower percentiles. Cornerstone University sits in the 29.6 percentile for access and the 50.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a smaller enrollment footprint and higher sticker price typical of private master's institutions. Mobility outcomes sit in the 7.0 percentile. For families prioritizing long-term financial payoff over broad access or lowest net price, Cornerstone University delivers measurable value through its focus on career-ready degree programs and above-average earnings trajectories for graduates.
Cornerstone University's published cost of attendance is $42,043. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $20,177, middle-income families pay around $17,872, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,135. Azimuth ranks Cornerstone University #704 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. Cornerstone University structures aid through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and need-based aid forms the foundation of the aid package. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the affordability rank captures the full post-graduation financial picture — including both net price and the debt load graduates carry. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,141; 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 $53,010, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, four-year earnings of $45,378 would shift the real burden of that same payment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Cornerstone University is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Grand Rapids, MI. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,010, placing Cornerstone University in the 12.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $5,434 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 34.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a mix of students — 32.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 34.8% are first-generation. These figures track MI's regional labor market and represent meaningful returns relative to the state's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928. The strongest program rankings cluster in Business — students whose interests align with this field will find the strongest outcomes at this institution.
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 Cornerstone University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
65 graduates
Marketing
15 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
17 graduates
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
6 graduates
Social Work
7 graduates
Cornerstone University's program mix centers on Business and professional fields aligned with career-ready outcomes. Business Administration is the largest program with 65 graduates, followed by Psychology, General, Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Teacher Education, and Kinesiology.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 288 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in applied business, management, and related professional disciplines. The highest-earning programs reflect the institution's professional orientation.
Business Administration graduates earn median earnings of $67,148 four years after enrollment, with 65 graduates annually. Digital Marketing delivers median earnings of $62,782 with 15 graduates, and Kinesiology reaches $56,231 with 17 graduates.
Communication and Media Studies and Psychology, General round out the earnings leaders, demonstrating consistent mid-career pay across the institution's core professional programs. The program portfolio emphasizes direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.
Business Administration and related business disciplines position graduates for roles in management, finance, and organizational leadership where earnings growth is steady through the early career years. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Cornerstone University's dominant program families align with national labor-market demand and wage trends in professional and business sectors.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Cornerstone University's published cost of attendance is $42,043. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $20,177, middle-income families pay around $17,872, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,135.
Azimuth ranks Cornerstone University #704 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.
Cornerstone University structures aid through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and need-based aid forms the foundation of the aid package.
The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the affordability rank captures the full post-graduation financial picture — including both net price and the debt load graduates carry. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,141; 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 $53,010, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, four-year earnings of $45,378 would shift the real burden of that same payment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Cornerstone University earn median 4-year earnings of $53,010, placing Cornerstone University in the 12.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,434 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Cornerstone University in the 34.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Cornerstone University #1011 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Cornerstone University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 65 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $67,148, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 43 students with median 4-year earnings of $47,933, also outperforming its national benchmark at 0.9x.
Teacher Education and Kinesiology round out the top programs, with 17 and 17 graduates respectively earning $47,341 and $56,231 four years after enrollment. This program-level strength in applied, professional, and quantitative fields drives Cornerstone University's overall earnings performance and positions graduates competitively in regional and national labor markets.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alfred University Similar quality tier (#32762 ranked) | NY | 74% | $54,897 | #32762 | Compare |
University Of Lynchburg Similar quality tier (#32759 ranked) | VA | 43% | $56,380 | #32759 | Compare |
Clark Atlanta University Similar quality tier (#32758 ranked) | GA | 64% | $42,712 | #32758 | Compare |
Southwestern University Similar quality tier (#32766 ranked) | TX | 43% | $56,878 | #32766 | Compare |
Hope International University Similar quality tier (#32756 ranked) | CA | 33% | $49,697 | #32756 | Compare |
