Holy Family University
Holy Family University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Holy Family University at a Glance
Holy Family University is a private Catholic university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1954 and has four schools: Arts & Sciences, Business & Technology, Education, and Nursing & Health Sciences. Its main campus in Philadelphia is in the northeastern section of the city and it has a satellite location in Newtown, Bucks County. Holy Family enrolls 3,600 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Fa…
1954
72 years old
3,119
2,650 undergrad · 469 grad
Identity
Is Holy Family University Worth It?
Holy Family University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $13,143/year, it's priced 36% below average, while graduates go on to earn $62,235 — 16% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 61% graduation rate means roughly 39% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: Holy Family University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Holy Family University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #2 of 88 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 Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #2 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #3 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #4 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #5 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #6 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Holy Family University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in PA.
Best Programs at Holy Family University
The highest-earning program at Holy Family University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $27,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Holy Family University earns $67,300, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $27,000. 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 $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,143/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 | $67,300 | $67,300 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,300 | $47,300 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,000 | $45,000 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,200 | $36,200 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,100 | $30,100 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
- Student Body
- 2,464 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,143
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,235
- Median Student Debt
- $25,125