Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks North Central University #1325 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,912 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing North Central University in the 36.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks North Central University #1241 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks North Central University #1325 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. North Central University is a private master's university in Minneapolis, MN, enrolling roughly 709 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 82.2% freshman retention rate and a 66.3% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. North Central University's composite position is anchored in return on investment. Azimuth ranks North Central University #1202 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,912 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing North Central University in the 36.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio is concentrated in Theology, a field where outcomes depend heavily on individual career trajectory and further education choices. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. North Central University sits in the 24.3 percentile for access and the 35.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 42.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 22.1% are first-generation college students. As a faith-based institution with a specialized mission, North Central University serves a distinct student population and operates within a particular educational and vocational framework that shapes both enrollment patterns and post-graduation outcomes.
North Central University's published cost of attendance is $44,475. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $20,450, middle-income families pay around $23,892, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,213. Azimuth ranks North Central University #921 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary based on demonstrated financial need and institutional aid policies. North Central University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (FAFSA), state, and institutional sources. The institution participates in federal grant and loan programs, and work-study is available as part of aid packages. Families should review the institution's financial aid page ↗ for current aid policies and application procedures, including any merit-based opportunities that may supplement need-based aid. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,200, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,452; 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 $47,587, median federal debt of $23,200 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
North Central University is a strong fit for students drawn to theology and religious studies who want a private nonprofit university experience in Minneapolis, MN. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $47,587, placing North Central University in the 9.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $4,912 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing North Central University in the 36.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 42.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 22.1% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $30,213, with median federal debt at graduation of $23,200. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 99.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Theology fields that account for 18% of degrees. Students whose interests align with these areas will find focused academic preparation.
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 North Central University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bluffton University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#36075 ranked) | OH | 67% | $49,547 | #36075 | Compare |
Willamette University Similar quality tier (#36076 ranked) | OR | 77% | $56,911 | #36076 | Compare |
Lancaster Bible College Similar quality tier (#36067 ranked) | PA | 56% | $44,096 | #36067 | Compare |
Carroll College Similar quality tier (#36066 ranked) | MT | 71% | $61,772 | #36066 | Compare |
Edp University Of Puerto Rico-Humacao Similar quality tier (#36077 ranked) | PR | 60% | $22,844 | #36077 | Compare |
Business Administration, Management and Operations
15 graduates
Marketing
11 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
21 graduates
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
33 graduates
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
7 graduates
North Central University's program mix is anchored in theology and religious studies, reflecting the institution's identity as a faith-based private university. Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries is the largest program with 33 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Business Administration, Bible/Biblical Studies, and Social Work.
The institution's dominant program family, Theology, accounts for a substantial share of the degree portfolio and shapes the university's academic and career-preparation mission. Among the institution's ranked programs, earnings outcomes cluster around Business Administration, which graduates 15 students with median earnings of $61,287 four years after enrollment, and the The Digital Marketing, which program graduates 11 students earning $50,707.
The Teacher Education program graduates 21 students with median earnings of $46,380, while Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries and Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies round out the earnings profile with $41,979 and $39,407 respectively. These outcomes reflect the career pathways typical of faith-based institutions, where many graduates enter ministry, education, counseling, and nonprofit leadership roles.
Several of North Central University's programs represent grad-school-dependent pathways, particularly in theology and religious studies, where four-year earnings undercount the lifetime trajectory of graduates who continue to graduate or seminary study. Education and counseling programs, by contrast, are direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter professional roles immediately and earnings reflect labor-market outcomes in those sectors.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with national wage trends and workforce demand in faith-based and nonprofit sectors.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
North Central University's published cost of attendance is $44,475. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $20,450, middle-income families pay around $23,892, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,213.
Azimuth ranks North Central University #921 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary based on demonstrated financial need and institutional aid policies.
North Central University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (FAFSA), state, and institutional sources. The institution participates in federal grant and loan programs, and work-study is available as part of aid packages.
Families should review the institution's [financial aid page ↗](#) for current aid policies and application procedures, including any merit-based opportunities that may supplement need-based aid. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,200, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,452; 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 $47,587, median federal debt of $23,200 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 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 North Central University earn median 4-year earnings of $47,587, placing North Central University in the 9.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,912 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing North Central University in the 36.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks North Central University #1202 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to MN's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline for working adults with only a high school credential.
The earnings pattern reflects North Central University's concentration in theology and religious studies. Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries is the largest program with 33 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $41,979, at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
The Teacher Education program graduates 21 students earning $46,380, and the The Business Administration program graduates 15 students earning $61,287. Bible/Biblical Studies and Social Work round out the program portfolio, serving students who pursue ministry, pastoral leadership, and faith-based professional pathways where earnings reflect the mission-driven nature of these careers.
