Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Manchester University #1075 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,847 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 29.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Manchester University #995 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Manchester University's composite ranking reflects its balance of access, affordability, and long-term outcomes for students. Graduates see meaningful earnings gains that place the school in the top quartile nationally for both expected and actual earnings.
Manchester University is a private master's institution in North Manchester, Indiana, enrolling roughly 936 undergraduates. Retention stands at 66.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 46.1%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts-focused campus. Azimuth ranks Manchester University #1075 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. The composite is anchored in return on investment. Azimuth ranks Manchester University #995 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,847 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Manchester University in the 29.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. 44.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 33.7% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body drawn primarily from middle-income and higher-income families. Manchester University sits in the 51.5 percentile for access and the 42.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in business and related fields — its Business focus — drives the return advantage and positions graduates for solid early-career outcomes in regional labor markets.
Manchester University's published cost of attendance is $49,993. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $13,875, middle-income families pay around $16,607, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,151. Azimuth ranks Manchester University #821 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. Manchester University's aid structure combines need-based and merit components. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to financial aid, though the affordability rank indicates that post-graduation debt service remains a meaningful consideration relative to peer institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,854, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $30,398; 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 $52,989, median federal debt of $26,854 projects to a monthly payment of about $303 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Manchester University is a strong fit for students drawn to business and related applied fields who want a private nonprofit college experience in IN. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $52,989, placing Manchester University in the 12.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $6,847 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Manchester University in the 29.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 44.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 33.7% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Manchester University in the 32.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 71.1% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business-oriented fields over STEM or humanities. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a strong earnings trajectory and aid package.
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 Manchester 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.
Manchester University's published cost of attendance is $49,993. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $13,875, middle-income families pay around $16,607, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,151.
Azimuth ranks Manchester University #821 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.
Manchester University's aid structure combines need-based and merit components. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to financial aid, though the affordability rank indicates that post-graduation debt service remains a meaningful consideration relative to peer institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,854, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $30,398; 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 $52,989, median federal debt of $26,854 projects to a monthly payment of about $303 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 Manchester University earn median 4-year earnings of $52,989, placing Manchester University in the 12.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Manchester University sits in the 29.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Manchester University #995 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on business and professional fields.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 28 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $52,218, performing at 1.0× the national benchmark for the field. Health/Medical Preparatory Programs enrolls 24 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $64,722, while Psychology, General and Business Administration round out the largest cohorts.
Among higher-earning programs, Business Administration graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,644 at 0.9× the national benchmark, and Accounting achieves median 4-year earnings of $75,295 at 1.0× benchmark performance. The concentration in Business — the institution's dominant program family — anchors the overall earnings profile and shapes the long-term financial outcomes for most graduates.
Accounting and Related Services
13 graduates
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
24 graduates
Marketing
7 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
14 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
28 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ottawa University-Surprise Similar quality tier (#29464 ranked) | AZ | 78% | $55,552 | #29464 | Compare |
Manchester University's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts university with career-focused curricula. Kinesiology is the largest program with 28 graduates, followed by Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Psychology, General, Business Administration, and Accounting.
The institution's dominant program family—Business—accounts for a substantial share of degree output, positioning Manchester University as a business-oriented undergraduate destination. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and professional fields.
Accounting graduates earn median earnings of $75,295 four years after enrollment, with 13 graduates in this field. Health/Medical Preparatory Programs delivers median earnings of $64,722 with 24 graduates, and Digital Marketing reaches $63,919 with 7 graduates.
These programs reflect Manchester University's strength in preparing students for direct entry into professional and managerial roles where early-career earnings are competitive. The earnings pattern across Manchester University's ranked programs reflects a portfolio oriented toward high-mobility career pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect labor-market outcomes.
Business administration, accounting, and management-track programs dominate the earnings distribution, signaling alignment with employer demand in corporate and professional services sectors. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national labor-market trends and wage growth trajectories.
Southern Wesleyan University Similar quality tier (#29462 ranked) | SC | 100% | $47,756 | #29462 | Compare |
Lagrange College Similar quality tier (#29465 ranked) | GA | 62% | $51,745 | #29465 | Compare |
Fisk University Similar quality tier (#29470 ranked) | TN | 37% | $45,454 | #29470 | Compare |
Otterbein University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#29471 ranked) | OH | 85% | $53,313 | #29471 | Compare |
