Manhattan University
Manhattan University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Manhattan University at a Glance
Manhattan University is a private, Catholic university in New York City, New York, US. Originally established in 1853 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers as an academy for day students, it was later incorporated as an institution of higher education through a charter granted by the New York State Board of Regents. In 1922, it moved from Manhattan to the Riverdale section of the Bronx, roughly 6.4 miles (10.3 km) north of its original location on 131st Street in Manhattanville.
1853
173 years old
$115M
$114.9 million (2020)
3,227
2,746 undergrad · 481 grad
23 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Manhattan University
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Fee waiver
Is Manhattan University Worth It?
Manhattan University offers moderate value at $27,256/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $86,316, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Manhattan University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #9 of 44 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 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #3 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #4 | Clarkson University | 55 | $30,305 | $89,696 |
| #5 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #6 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #9 | Manhattan University | 51 | $27,256 | $86,316 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Manhattan University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in NY.
Best Programs at Manhattan University
The highest-earning program at Manhattan University is Civil Engineering at $66,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $21,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Civil Engineering graduate from Manhattan University earns $66,100, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $21,500. 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: Civil Engineering graduates carry $26,945 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,256/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | $66,100 | $66,100 | $26,945 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,000 | $65,000 | $26,450 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,400 | $62,400 | $25,459 |
| Chemical Engineering | $60,000 | $60,000 | $27,000 |
| Social Sciences, General | $57,800 | $57,800 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,500 | $55,500 | N/A |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $51,100 | $51,100 | $26,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $48,200 | $48,200 | $27,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $43,700 | $43,700 | $24,857 |
| Marketing | $41,300 | $41,300 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,400 | $37,400 | $24,610 |
| Biology, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $21,500 | $21,500 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Riverdale, NY
- Student Body
- 2,744 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,256
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $86,316
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000