Daemen University
Daemen University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Daemen University at a Glance
Daemen University is a private university in Amherst, New York, United States. Formerly Daemen College and Rosary Hill College, the nonsectarian school was founded as a Catholic institution by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1947.
1947
79 years old
$23M
$22.6 million (2024)
2,536
1,631 undergrad · 905 grad
5 acres
Identity
Is Daemen University Worth It?
Daemen University offers moderate value at $18,693/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,808, 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.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Daemen University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #21 of 188 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 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #4 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #5 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #6 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #21 | Daemen University | 48 | $18,693 | $61,808 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Daemen University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in NY.
Best Programs at Daemen University
The highest-earning program at Daemen University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $66,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General at $29,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Daemen University earns $66,700, while a Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General graduate earns $29,800. 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 $13,000 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,693/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 | $66,700 | $66,700 | $13,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $29,800 | $29,800 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Amherst, NY
- Student Body
- 1,643 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,693
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,808
- Median Student Debt
- $22,091