Eastern Mennonite University
Eastern Mennonite University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eastern Mennonite University at a Glance
Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is a private Mennonite university in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The university also operates a satellite campus in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It hosts the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.
1917
109 years old
$26M
$25.587 million (as of 2014)
730
100
Identity
Is Eastern Mennonite University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Eastern Mennonite University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,869 — 2% above average — while paying $24,588/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 100% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Eastern Mennonite University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Eastern Mennonite University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in VA
Ranked #26 of 75 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Loras College | 48 | $20,716 | $58,289 |
| #5 | Monmouth College | 46 | $17,133 | $51,110 |
| #6 | St. Thomas Aquinas College | 46 | $19,994 | $62,909 |
| #26 | Eastern Mennonite University | 32 | $24,588 | $54,869 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Eastern Mennonite University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in VA.
Best Programs at Eastern Mennonite University
The highest-earning program at Eastern Mennonite University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $60,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $32,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Eastern Mennonite University earns $60,300, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $32,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $15,711 in median debt vs. $23,500 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,588/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,300 | $60,300 | $15,711 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,000 | $32,000 | $23,500 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Harrisonburg, VA
- Student Body
- 754 students
- Admission Rate
- 100%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,588
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,869
- Median Student Debt
- $24,813