Olivet Nazarene University
Olivet Nazarene University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Olivet Nazarene University at a Glance
Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) is a private university in Bourbonnais, Illinois, United States. It is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Named for its founding location, Olivet, Illinois, ONU was originally established as a grammar school in east-central Illinois in 1907. In the late 1930s, it moved to the campus in Bourbonnais.
1907
119 years old
$82M
$82 million (2025)
3,255
2,519 undergrad · 736 grad
250 acres
Identity
Is Olivet Nazarene University Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Olivet Nazarene University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,213 — 1% below average — while paying $20,729/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 61% graduation rate means roughly 39% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Olivet Nazarene University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Olivet Nazarene University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 52 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #3 | Augustana College | 53 | $22,736 | $62,971 |
| #4 | Saint Vincent College | 45 | $23,510 | $59,982 |
| #5 | Bob Jones University | 45 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| #6 | St. Francis College | 43 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| #13 | Olivet Nazarene University | 39 | $20,729 | $53,213 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Olivet Nazarene University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IL.
Best Programs at Olivet Nazarene University
The highest-earning program at Olivet Nazarene University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $22,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Olivet Nazarene University earns $63,500, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $22,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. 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 $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,729/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 | $63,500 | $63,500 | $25,000 |
| Engineering, General | $59,100 | $59,100 | $23,596 |
| Marketing | $37,800 | $37,800 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,500 | $36,500 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,300 | $32,300 | $21,950 |
| Psychology, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $26,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,700 | $28,700 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,800 | $26,800 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $26,600 | $26,600 | $25,756 |
| Religious Education | $23,900 | $23,900 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,500 | $22,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Bourbonnais, IL
- Student Body
- 2,603 students
- Admission Rate
- 56%
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,729
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,213
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000