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Capella University

Minneapolis, MN·Private for-profit·16,173 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want a large campus community. graduation rate is below 40%; fewer than half of freshmen return for sophomore year. solid earnings of $72,600 within 10 years.

N/A
Accept
16,173
Students
$18,305
Net Price
33%
Grad Rate
$72,600
Earnings
10 yr
$8,814
Debt

About This School

Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota with approximately 16,173 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $18,305 per year. The graduation rate is 33%, and the typical graduate earns $72,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

Capella University is a private for-profit, online university headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is owned by the publicly traded Strategic Education, Inc. and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Nearly 44,000 students were enrolled in 2023.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 33% graduation rate and a rock-bottom 23% freshman retention rate suggest most students who start don't finish, which is a serious red flag worth understanding before enrolling. That said, graduates who do complete their degrees report median earnings of $72,600 at the 10-year mark, and median debt of just $8,814 is unusually low for a private institution. Worth considering if you're a self-directed adult learner who specifically needs Capella's flexible online format — but go in clear-eyed about the completion odds and ask hard questions about what support exists to help you finish.

Founded
1993
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Health Professions78%
Business & Marketing12%
Psychology8%
Computer Science2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Tammy DuckworthXavier WoodsIrene Muloni

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$14,436
Out-of-State Tuition
$14,436
Avg Net Price
$18,305
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants37%
Median debt at graduation$8,814

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
33%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
23%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$72,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$8,814
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$8,814
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$51,500
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$72,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 8.2x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White48%
Black26%
Hispanic/Latino13%
Asian4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (16,173 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Capella University

225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55402-3389

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Minnesota

Browse all Minnesota schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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