Walden University is a private for-profit institution offering graduate degrees based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It enrolls 9,136 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Average
39/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes4
Value11
Affordability40
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for Walden University.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Walden University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $33,817 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private for-profit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$33,817
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
55%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
69%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$12,762
Room & Board (off-campus)
$17,820
Books & Supplies
$900
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,040
Total Cost of Attendance
$35,358
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,16610%percentile
$4,42425%percentile
$20,834Medianpercentile
$27,25075%percentile
$41,75090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $12,501
↓ $8,333
No Pell $9,375
↓ $11,459
Dependent students $7,167
↓ $13,667
Independent students $12,000
↓ $8,834
Female students $11,366
↓ $9,468
Male students $11,975
↓ $8,859
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,200, less than completers ($20,834), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
35% of full-time students who enrolled at Walden University graduate within six years, and 13% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
35%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
13%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Walden University earn a median of $42,810 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$42,810
Earning > $25K
66%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$52,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$81,000
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$38,800
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$58,700
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$82,600
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $28,700, about 35% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
23.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Moderate. Only 67% of graduates are paying down principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Walden University is home to 9,136 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 51% are first-generation college students, 74% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
9,136
Part-Time
74%
First-Generation
51%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Black 42.4%3,872
White 39.1%3,576
Hispanic 9.6%875
Other 3.0%271
Asian 1.6%147
International 0.1%13
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Walden University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityMinneapolis, Minnesota
Housing
Commuter campusOnline-only, no physical campus
Adult Learners
90%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Quarterscheduling structure
Designation
Online-only institution
What You Can Study
Walden University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
91 distinct programs across
11 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Walden University is 30:1, high (larger classes are common).
Student : Faculty
30:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Avg Faculty Salary
$67,797
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
242 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
No Rank
242
100%
$67,797
Pros & Cons of Walden University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Walden University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
First-gen-friendly student body
Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
Above-average net price
Larger class sizes than typical
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Most students take on federal loans
Best for:
Based on the data, Walden University is a fit for
working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Walden University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Walden University.
How much does Walden University cost?
The average net price after aid at Walden University is $33,817 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Walden University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $42,810 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $33,817 per year. That's roughly 1.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Walden University known for?
Walden University is best known for its programs in Nursing, Social Work, Mental Health Services. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Walden University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Walden University are $42,810, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Walden University accredited?
Yes. Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Walden University?
Walden University enrolls 9,136 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Walden University?
Walden University graduates 35% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Walden University a public or private college?
Walden University is a Private For-Profit institution.
Where is Walden University located?
Walden University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What programs does Walden University offer?
Walden University offers 91 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Social Work, Mental Health Services.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Walden University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Walden University is 30:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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