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Minneapolis, MN 55402-3389
p. 888-227-3552
w. www.capella.edu
Capella University
General Information, Alumni, History, Campus, Students, Faculty, Address, and Tuition
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Capella University Academics
Capella University is a unique private, for-profit institution that offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees through online and distance learning programs. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the school offers more than 100 different undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as 15 technical and professional certificates.
Popular courses of study at Capella University include business management, human capital management, health care administration, public safety, mental health, information technology, and K-12 education.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as the North Central Associations Academic Quality Improvement Program.
Capella University Admissions
Because Capella University is a for-profit institution, the school’s admission’s policy is flexible and broad-based. Generally, the school has an open admissions policy that is non-competitive. Applicants are required to furnish high school transcripts and/or proof of GED completion, if applicable. In addition, applicants may be required to take placement tests and aptitude evaluations prior to enrollment.
Some of the Capella University’s programs – particularly at the graduate level – have their own prerequisites and admission requirements.
The school offers rolling enrollment dates with no absolute deadlines, and frequent course start dates make it easy for students to enter and begin a course of study at virtually any time of the year.
Capella University Financial Aid
Capella University’s status as a private, for-profit university means that the process of funding tuition and fee costs is slightly different than at most traditional universities. However, the school reports that over 75% of their students receive some form of financial aid. In addition, Capella University offers a dedicated staff of financial aid counselors who are available via telephone, email, and chat to answer cost questions and walk applicants through the financial aid process.
The most commonly disbursed forms of financial aid at the school include federal loans, private loans, federal Pell grants, federal National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grants, and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grants.
Scholarships available at Capella University include the Public Safety Continuous Enrollment Scholarship, Human Capital Management Scholarship, New P–12 PhD, EdS, or MS Learner Scholarship, Robert C. Ford Human Services Scholarship, and the Scott Sathers Scholarship. However, these programs are not continuously open to new applications. Check with the school for current status.
Capella University also accepts tuition payment and reduction plans overseen by corporate partners and employers, as well as veterans’ and armed services programs.
Capella University Students
Because of the unique emphasis of Capella Univeristy’s courses of study, the student body is comprised largely of working adults and returning students who have already established professional career paths in the workforce. The majority of currently enrolled students are pursuing graduate degrees, with only 15% focusing on undergraduate studies. Peak enrollment often nears 20,000 students, with the population divided almost evenly between men and women.
Although traditional campus life and student activities are not a feature of Capella University due to the school’s online mode of instruction, students are still able to interact with one another and benefit from classroom discussions using the school’s advanced online classroom technology.
Capella University Athletics
Because Capella University focuses solely on online and distance learning, the school does not support a traditional athletics program. However, the school does offer a number of advanced degrees in sports, exercise, and athletics management.
Information Summary
| Overall Score
On StateUniversity.com (about) |
Insufficient Data |
|---|---|
| Total Cost
On-Campus Attendance |
$12,000 |
| Admission
Success rate |
100% |
| Student Ratio
Ratio of students to faculty |
22 : 1 |
| Retention
(Full-Time / Part-Time) |
N/A / 23% |
| Enrollment
Total (all students) |
17,203 |
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Minneapolis, MN 55402-3389
| Surrounding community | Large city (inside urban area, pop. over 250,000) |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 176 (176 urban / N/A rural) |
| Households | 154 (1.1 people per house) |
| Families | 5 (2.4 people per family) |
| Pop. — African American | 64 |
| Pop. — Asian | 9 |
| Pop. — Pacific Islander | 2 |
| Pop. — American Indian / Alaskan Native | 1 |
| Pop. — White (incl. Hispanic) | 104 |
| Pop. — Other | 1 |
Carnegie Foundation Classification
Doctoral/Research Universities
| Undergraduate | Professions focus, high graduate coexistence |
|---|---|
| Graduate | Doctoral, professional dominant |
| Undergraduate Population | Higher part-time four-year |
| Enrollment | Majority graduate/professional |
| Size & Setting | Medium four-year, primarily nonresidential |
General Characteristics
| Highest offering | Doctoral degree |
|---|---|
| Calendar System | Quarter |
| Years of college work required | N/A |
| Variable Tuition |  |
Special Learning Opportunities
| Distance Learning |  |
|---|---|
| ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force | —
/
/
|
| Study Abroad | |
| Weekend College | |
| Teacher Certification | |
Student Tuition Costs and Fees
What are the typical tuition costs and fees for attending Capella University?
Ranks 2594th for total cost of attendance
| In District | In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FT Undergraduate Tuition | $10,800 | $10,800 | $10,800 |
| FT Undergraduate Required Fees | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| PT Undergraduate per Credit Hour | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| FT Graduate Tuition | $12,528 | $12,528 | $12,528 |
| FT Graduate Required Fees | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| PT Graduate per Credit Hour | $437 | $437 | $437 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — On-Campus | $12,000 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus w/out Family | $16,950 | $16,950 | $16,950 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus with Family | $12,450 | $12,450 | $12,450 |
Student Tuition Cost History and Trends
Three year history and trends on the cost of attending
| In District | In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published Tuition & Fees | $10,440  $10,800 |
$10,440  $10,800 |
$10,440  $10,800 |
| Cost (regardless of residency) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,050  $1,200 |
||
| On-Campus – Room & Board | N/A  N/A |
||
| On-Campus – Other Expenses | N/A  N/A |
||
| Off-Campus w/out Family – Room & Board | $4,500  $4,500 |
||
| Off-Campus w/out Family – Other Expenses | $450  $450 |
||
| Off-Campus with Family – Room & Board | $450  $450 |
||
Admission Details
| Application Fee Required | N/A |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Application Fee | $75 |
| Graduate Application Fee | $75 |
| First Professional Application Fee | N/A |
| Applicants | 51 (22 male / 29 female) |
| Admitted | 51 (22 male / 29 female) |
| Admission rate | 100% |
| First-time Enrollment | 33 (16 male / 17 female) |
| FT Enrollment | N/A (N/A male / N/A female) |
| PT Enrollment | 33 (16 male / 17 female) |
| Total Enrollment | 17,203 |
Admission Criteria
What criteria does Capella University use for admissions?
| Open Admissions | |
|---|---|
| Secondary School GPA / Rank / Record | N/A / N/A /  |
| College Prep. Completion | N/A |
| Recommendations | N/A |
| Formal competency demo | N/A |
| Admission test scores | N/A |
| TOEFL | |
| Other tests | N/A |
= Recommended, 
= Neither required nor recommended
Admission Credits Accepted
What types of credits does Capella University accept?
| Dual Credit | |
|---|---|
| Life Experience | |
| Advanced Placement (AP) | |
Student Services
| Remedial Services | |
|---|---|
| Academic / Career Counseling | |
| PT Cost-defraying Employment | |
| Career Placement | |
| On-Campus Day Care | |
| Library Facility | |
Student Living
| First-time Room / Board Required | |
|---|---|
| Dorm Capacity | N/A |
| Meals per Week | N/A |
| Room Fee | N/A |
| Board Fee | N/A |
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
| Average | Users | % of Attendees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Grant Aid | N/A | N/A |  0% |
| State & Local Grant Aid | N/A | N/A |  0% |
| Institutional Grant Aid | N/A | N/A |  0% |
| Student Loan Aid | N/A | N/A |  0% |
| Any financial aid type | N/A |  0% |
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Capella University?
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
Non Resident Alien | 158 | 223 | 381 |
Black Non-Hispanic | 884 | 3,206 | 4,090 |
Hispanic | 256 | 420 | 676 |
Asian / Pacific Islander | 145 | 178 | 323 |
American Indian / Alaskan Native | 46 | 107 | 153 |
White Non-Hispanic | 3,208 | 5,364 | 8,572 |
Race Unknown | 1,101 | 1,907 | 3,008 |
| Total | 5,798 | 11,405 | 17,203 |
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Capella University.
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | 170 | 315 | |
| 124 | 37 | 161 | |
| 64 | 72 | 136 | |
| 37 | 90 | 127 | |
| 25 | 83 | 108 |
Student Completion / Graduation Demographics
How many students are successful graduates?
Faculty Compensation / Salaries
Capella University Ranks 1311th for the average full-time faculty salary.
| Tenure system | |
|---|---|
| Average FT Salary | $56,663 ($58,357 male / $55,201 female) |
| Number of FT Faculty | 82 (38 male / 44 female) |
| Number of PT Faculty | 5 |
| FT Faculty Ratio | 16 : 1 |
| Total Benefits | $677,166 |
Capella University Summary
The following paragraph provided courtesy of wikipedia.
Capella University is a private, for-profit, specialized distance learning institution of higher learning that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1999, the company and university were renamed to their current, Capella Education Company and University. Capella University is currently being audited by the United States Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on charges that they have not returned Title IV funds, as required by Federal Law. The Capella Prospectus also states: “Based on the field auditors’ preliminary audit exceptions, which is a preliminary list of issues regarding Capella University’s compliance with Title IV rules and requirements, and our verbal communications with the OIG audit staff, we believe that the most significant potential financial exposure from the audit pertains to repayments to the Department of Education that could be required if the OIG concludes that we did not properly calculate the amount of Title IV funds required to be returned for learners that withdrew from Capella University without providing an official notification of such withdrawal and without engaging in any academic activity prior to such withdrawal.”’ In a recent article published by InvestorIdeas.com entiled, Online College Is Hot, But This New IPO in the Space Merits Barely Passing Grades reports that of the roughly $70 million dollars intially raised by Capella University’s stock offering, approximately $50.5 million dollars went to corporate executives and insiders who wanted to cash out. As an accredited university Capella is authorized to partake in the Federal Stafford Loan Program but the school also offers unique scholarships offered only to leaners enrolled at Capella University. These scholarships include: League for Innovation Scholarship: A $50,000 doctoral scholarship awarded annually since 2001 to one PhD-level student Spirit of Capella Scholarships For Injured Service Members: Five $10,000 scholarships awarded annually to service members wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Comment and Corrections Make a comment …
Familiar with this University? We would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Capella University.
4 months ago
K. A.
I graduated with a PhD from Capella and had a positive experience overall. Although the tuition is high, the distance degree made higher education possible for me since I lived in a rural area. I've had great success with my career since (currently working as faculty in at a major research institution) and I made really great friedns with fellow classmates. One has to be automous and self motivated to be successful, and I am, therefore I'm pleased with my Capella experience.
over 2 years ago
Mal mander1141 ((at)) aol dot com
Capella is very good at helping people get enrolled. They are also great at helping their students get access to financial aid. They are not good at supporting their students once they are enrolled in their classes. Many of the classes are non-academic, and the University charges outrages "residency" fees to students and requires them to attend non-academic "seminars" in distant cities, which they cheerfully help their students borrow money from the government to pay for. Their director of financial aid has been indicted for receiving kick-backs from Student Loan Xpress. Capella is under investigation by OIG for Title IV violations. Capella is not a member of the BBB, but has numerous complaints on file there. Capella has withdrawn it's application for APA accreditation once it was made clear to them that there was no way they would receive even probationary acceptance by that organization.