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Madonna University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Livonia, MI · 1,632 students

The verdict

Madonna University charges a net price of $17,755/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $71,020. Graduates earn a median $59,058 ten years after entry, $10,698/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.6 years — a 20-year net return of $142,940, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Madonna University's 6.6-year payback ranks #585 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 54% of them, and #15 of 85 in Michigan.

Better ROI than 54% of US colleges#585 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$17,755
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$59,058
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6.6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
63%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Madonna University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$17,755/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$71,020our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$59,058Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$10,698/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback6.6 yrsour math
20-year net return$142,940our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Madonna University: frequently asked questions

Is Madonna University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Madonna University charges $17,755/yr after aid ($71,020 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $59,058 ten years out — $10,698/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 6.6 years and returns $142,940 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Madonna University degree take to pay off?
About 6.6 years. We divide the $71,020 four-year net cost by the $10,698/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Madonna University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $17,755/yr — about $71,020 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Madonna University compare to other Michigan colleges?
It ranks #15 of 85 Michigan colleges we track by payback. Its $59,058 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $17,755 net price is above the national median of $16,906.