Head-to-head comparison
Capella University vs Walden University: which has better ROI?
Option A Minneapolis, MN
Capella University
- Net price / year
- $17,956
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,189
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Minneapolis, MN
Walden University
- Net price / year
- $33,817
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,810
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Capella University comes closer — median earnings $42,189 against a $71,824 total, vs $42,810 at Walden University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Capella University | Walden University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,956 | $33,817 |
| Total net cost | $71,824 | $135,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,189 | $42,810 |
| Median debt | $14,968 | $20,834 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$195,244 | -$246,268 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Capella University or Walden University?
Capella University, at $17,956 a year after aid versus $33,817 — a gap of $15,861 a year, or $63,444 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Capella University or Walden University graduates earn more?
Walden University graduates report a median $42,810 ten years after entry, $621 more than the $42,189 at Capella University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Capella University or Walden University?
Capella University: its completers carry a median $14,968 in federal loans versus $20,834 at Walden University, a difference of $5,866. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.