La Roche University
La Roche University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
La Roche University at a Glance
La Roche University is a private Catholic university in McCandless, Pennsylvania, United States, a North Hills suburb of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1963 by the Sisters of Divine Providence, it sits on an 80-acre (32 ha) campus within the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
1963
63 years old
2,153
1,828 undergrad · 325 grad
59
80 acres
Identity
Is La Roche University Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, La Roche University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,341 — 3% below average — while paying $20,794/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at La Roche University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How La Roche University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #29 of 112 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #3 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #4 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #5 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #29 | La Roche University | 36 | $20,794 | $52,341 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of La Roche 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 La Roche University
The highest-earning program at La Roche University is Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $42,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $26,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduate from La Roche University earns $42,400, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $26,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduates carry $16,500 in median debt vs. $24,705 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,794/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $42,400 | $42,400 | $16,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,300 | $39,300 | $28,872 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $34,500 | $34,500 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,500 | $33,500 | $25,724 |
| Marketing | $33,100 | $33,100 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $24,705 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Student Body
- 751 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,794
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,341
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000