Canisius University
Canisius University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Canisius University at a Glance
Canisius University is a private Jesuit university in Buffalo, New York. It was founded in 1870 by Jesuits from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. Canisius offers more than a hundred undergraduate majors and minors, and around thirty-four master's and certificate programs.
1870
156 years old
$156M
$155.8 million (2025)
2,451
1,724 undergrad · 727 grad
254
72 acres
Identity
Is Canisius University Worth It?
Canisius University offers moderate value at $17,940/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $60,681, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Canisius University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #10 of 209 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #6 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #10 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Canisius University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 14 in NY.
Best Programs at Canisius University
The highest-earning program at Canisius University is Computer Science at $52,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $20,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Canisius University earns $52,700, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $20,500. 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: Computer Science graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $23,333 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,940/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $52,700 | $52,700 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,200 | $44,200 | $26,899 |
| Economics | $42,300 | $42,300 | $25,408 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $39,700 | $39,700 | $24,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,600 | $35,600 | $20,500 |
| Marketing | $31,900 | $31,900 | $21,928 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,300 | $31,300 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,100 | $30,100 | $24,895 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $25,600 | $25,600 | $24,250 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,876 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,700 | $22,700 | $25,000 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $22,000 | $22,000 | $25,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $20,500 | $20,500 | $23,333 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Buffalo, NY
- Student Body
- 1,685 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,940
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,681
- Median Student Debt
- $24,250