Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Hastings College #1380 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,375 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Hastings College in the 25.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Hastings College #1160 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Hastings College's composite ranking reflects a balance of strong return on investment and meaningful earnings beyond expectations. These outcomes are anchored by the institution's focus on delivering value across its academic portfolio.
Azimuth ranks Hastings College #1380 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's college in Hastings, NE, Hastings College enrolls roughly 891 undergraduates. Retention is 65.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 48.9%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Hastings College performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Hastings College #1160 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,539, and they earn about $8,375 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Hastings College in the 25.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — its dominant field — aligns with strong early-career earnings trajectories in accounting, management, and finance. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Hastings College sits in the 16.4 percentile for access and the 25th percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 27.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 27.5% are first-generation college students, reflecting a more selective enrollment profile. As a smaller private institution, Hastings College serves students who can manage higher net prices in exchange for strong outcomes in business and related fields — a positioning that delivers measurable financial returns relative to the cost of attendance.
Hastings College's published cost of attendance is $51,422. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,646, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $18,812, middle-income families pay about $21,933, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $24,986, and higher-income families pay around $27,290. Azimuth ranks Hastings College #1069 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 25th percentile for post-graduation affordability. 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. Hastings College uses the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid, which includes federal Pell Grants, federal Direct Loans, and institutional scholarships. The aid structure prioritizes demonstrated financial need, and merit scholarships may be available depending on academic and other qualifications. Families should review the institution's financial aid page for current aid policies and application deadlines. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,500; 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 $52,539, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Hastings College is a strong fit for students interested in Business and similar fields who want a private liberal arts college experience in NE. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $52,539, placing Hastings College in the 12.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $8,375 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 25.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 27.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 27.5% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Hastings College in the 51.7 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Published cost of attendance is $27,290, and median federal debt at graduation is $27,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 71.7% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business fields. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package competitive with peer institutions in the region.
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 Hastings 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.
Hastings College's published cost of attendance is $51,422. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,646, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $18,812, middle-income families pay about $21,933, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $24,986, and higher-income families pay around $27,290.
Azimuth ranks Hastings College #1069 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 25th percentile for post-graduation affordability. 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.
Hastings College uses the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid, which includes federal Pell Grants, federal Direct Loans, and institutional scholarships. The aid structure prioritizes demonstrated financial need, and merit scholarships may be available depending on academic and other qualifications.
Families should review the institution's [financial aid page](https://www.hastingscollege.edu/admission/financial-aid/) for current aid policies and application deadlines. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $27,500; 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 $52,539, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 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 Hastings College earn median 4-year earnings of $52,539, placing Hastings College in the 12.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,375 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Hastings College in the 25.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Hastings College #1160 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Hastings College's program portfolio centers on Business, which anchors the institution's earnings profile.
Business Administration is the largest program with 34 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $61,465, representing 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. Teacher Education and Kinesiology follow as significant enrollment drivers, with Kinesiology graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $48,238 — 0.9× the national benchmark.
Psychology, General and Subject-Specific Teacher Education round out the institution's core academic offerings, contributing to a focused program mix that emphasizes applied, career-ready fields aligned with regional labor-market demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Webber International University Similar quality tier (#36138 ranked) | FL | 69% | $45,606 | #36138 | Compare |
Knox College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#36137 ranked) | IL | 71% | $54,820 | #36137 | Compare |
Emory & Henry University Similar quality tier (#36136 ranked) | VA | 84% | $47,385 | #36136 | Compare |
North Greenville University Similar quality tier (#36145 ranked) | SC | 67% | $43,035 | #36145 | Compare |
Lawrence University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#36135 ranked) | WI | 64% | $55,789 | #36135 | Compare |
Marketing
8 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
34 graduates
Psychology, General
17 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
17 graduates
Biology, General
11 graduates
Hastings College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts college with applied career focus. Business Administration is the largest program with 34 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Kinesiology, Psychology, General, and Subject-Specific Teacher Education.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 182 students annually, the institution concentrates strength in Business (representing 21% of graduates), Education (18%), and Arts (9%). The highest-earning programs reflect the institution's business-oriented signature.
Business Administration graduates earn median earnings of $61,465 four years after enrollment with 34 graduates, while Kinesiology delivers median earnings of $48,238 with 17 graduates. Biology, General rounds out the top earners with median earnings of $40,723 and 11 graduates.
These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter professional roles immediately after completion, with earnings reflecting regional and national labor-market demand for business and applied professional skills. The institution's program portfolio emphasizes practical preparation for career entry.
Business Administration, as both the largest and highest-aggregate-return program, demonstrates how enrollment scale combined with solid earnings outcomes creates meaningful economic impact for graduates. The concentration in business and professional fields aligns with employer demand in the Great Plains region and positions graduates for stable, accessible career pathways.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Hastings College's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
