Adelphi University
Adelphi University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Adelphi University at a Glance
Adelphi University is a private university in Garden City, New York, United States. Adelphi also has centers in Downtown Brooklyn, Hudson Valley, and Suffolk County in addition to a virtual, online campus for remote students. As of 2026, it had about 7,386 undergraduate and graduate students. The college's origins date to 1863 with the foundation of the Adelphi Academy, and Adelphi College itself was founded in 1893. From 1912 to 1946 the college was a women's college.
1896
130 years old
$256M
$256 million (2024)
7,406
1,309
75 acres
Identity
Is Adelphi University Worth It?
Adelphi University offers moderate value at $30,783/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $75,482, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Adelphi University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #19 of 36 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | 69 | $22,453 | $89,070 |
| #2 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #3 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #4 | University of Mary | 58 | $17,770 | $60,909 |
| #5 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #6 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #19 | Adelphi University | 42 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Adelphi University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in NY.
Best Programs at Adelphi University
The highest-earning program at Adelphi University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $86,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $19,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Adelphi University earns $86,700, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $19,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $26,650 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,783/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $86,700 | $86,700 | $26,650 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,100 | $46,100 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,100 | $42,100 | $24,991 |
| Social Sciences, General | $37,000 | $37,000 | $20,125 |
| Marketing | $36,400 | $36,400 | $22,312 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,500 | $30,500 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,700 | $29,700 | $23,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,300 | $28,300 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $24,800 | $24,800 | $23,906 |
| Dance | $22,600 | $22,600 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $21,900 | $21,900 | $23,125 |
| Biology, General | $20,700 | $20,700 | $21,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $20,500 | $20,500 | $23,124 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,000 | $19,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Garden City, NY
- Student Body
- 5,276 students
- Admission Rate
- 66%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,783
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $75,482
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000