College of Saint Benedict
College of Saint Benedict — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
College of Saint Benedict at a Glance
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University (CSBSJU) are two closely related private, Benedictine liberal arts colleges in Minnesota. The College of Saint Benedict is a college for women in St. Joseph and Saint John's University is a university for men in Collegeville. Students at the institutions have a shared curriculum and access to the resources of both campuses. Together, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University offer over 70 areas of study to undergraduate st…
1913
113 years old
$157M
$157.2 million (2025)
1,429
1,391 undergrad · 38 grad
300
Identity
Is College of Saint Benedict Worth It?
College of Saint Benedict offers moderate value at $26,640/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $63,260, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How College of Saint Benedict compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MN
Ranked #14 of 125 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #14 | College of Saint Benedict | 48 | $26,640 | $63,260 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of College of Saint Benedict's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in MN.
Best Programs at College of Saint Benedict
The highest-earning program at College of Saint Benedict is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $27,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from College of Saint Benedict earns $61,600, while a Biology, General graduate earns $27,500. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,959 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,640/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 | $61,600 | $61,600 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,500 | $55,500 | $25,964 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,800 | $49,800 | $24,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,700 | $38,700 | $26,303 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,400 | $37,400 | $26,732 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $33,900 | $33,900 | $25,355 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,400 | $32,400 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $26,959 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Joseph, MN
- Student Body
- 1,370 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,640
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,260
- Median Student Debt
- $26,944