You would borrow a median $14,968 — about $170 a month for ten years. Graduates earn a median $42,189 ten years after starting, so the debt clears in roughly 5.6 years of the salary premium.
Think hard. On these numbers the salary premium struggles to clear what students borrow.
Under roughly 15% of gross pay, repayment is generally considered manageable alongside rent and living costs.
We do not list an award tied specifically to Capella University yet — but national, country and subject scholarships still apply to students heading there, and each one cuts the $14,968 above.
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The typical graded university clears its debt in 1.3 years on median earnings of $57,146 against $22,500 of debt. Capella University takes longer than that, and its graduates earn $2,669 a year more than a US worker with only a high-school diploma.
| Nearby university | Grade | Debt | Earnings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University Minnesota | F | $20,834 | $42,810 | 6.3 yrs |
| Lake Superior College Minnesota | D | $12,775 | $46,449 | 1.8 yrs |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead Minnesota | D | $20,000 | $50,527 | 1.8 yrs |
| Southwest Minnesota State University Minnesota | D | $20,500 | $51,342 | 1.7 yrs |
| University of Minnesota - Morris Minnesota | C | $18,995 | $50,919 | 1.7 yrs |
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — earnings and debt cover students who received federal financial aid and blend every subject taught at the institution. Figures imported 28 Aug 2026. This page is information, not financial advice.