Cedarville University
Cedarville University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Cedarville University at a Glance
Cedarville University is a private university in Cedarville, Ohio, United States. Established in 1887, the school was originally affiliated with the conservative Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, General Synod. In 1953, the college became affiliated with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches until 2006. Since 2003, Cedarville is affiliated with the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. It is chartered by the state of Ohio, approved by the Ohio Board of Regents, and acc…
1887
139 years old
$61M
$60.9 million (2025)
6,384
4,024 undergrad · 590 grad
249
441 acres
Identity
Is Cedarville University Worth It?
Cedarville University offers moderate value at $24,468/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,443, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 73% graduation rate means roughly 27% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Cedarville University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #21 of 63 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #2 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #3 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #4 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #5 | Augustana College | 53 | $22,736 | $62,971 |
| #6 | York College of Pennsylvania | 51 | $18,556 | $61,012 |
| #21 | Cedarville University | 42 | $24,468 | $55,443 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Cedarville University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in OH.
Best Programs at Cedarville University
The highest-earning program at Cedarville University is Mechanical Engineering at $59,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $25,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Cedarville University earns $59,300, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $25,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,468/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,300 | $59,300 | $22,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $54,400 | $54,400 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,400 | $33,400 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,200 | $30,200 | $25,321 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,100 | $30,100 | $24,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,200 | $25,200 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Cedarville, OH
- Student Body
- 4,024 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 73%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,468
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,443
- Median Student Debt
- $20,937