Manchester University
Manchester University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Manchester University at a Glance
The University of Manchester is a public research university in Manchester, England, with its main campus south of the city centre on Oxford Road. It is a red brick university, a product of the civic university movement of the late 19th century. The current institution was formed in 2004 through the merger of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) and the Victoria University of Manchester. This merger followed a century of close collaboration between the two ins…
2004
22 years old
$249M
£248.7 million (2025)
46,305
30,565 undergrad · 15,735 grad
5,515
Identity
Is Manchester University Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Manchester University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,504 — 4% below average — while paying $18,805/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,854 representing 52% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Manchester University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Manchester University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IN
Ranked #78 of 177 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #5 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #6 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #78 | Manchester University | 31 | $18,805 | $51,504 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Manchester University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in IN.
Best Programs at Manchester University
The highest-earning program at Manchester University is Accounting and Related Services at $49,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $28,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Manchester University earns $49,900, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $28,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $29,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,805/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,900 | $49,900 | $29,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,700 | $28,700 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- North Manchester, IN
- Student Body
- 936 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,805
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,504
- Median Student Debt
- $26,854