Mount Aloysius College
Mount Aloysius College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Mount Aloysius College at a Glance
Mount Aloysius College is a private, Catholic, liberal-arts college in Cresson Township, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1853 and is conducted under the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy. The college is located on a 193-acre campus in the Allegheny Mountains.
1853
173 years old
$72M
$71.8 million (2025)
2,955
2,942 undergrad · 13 grad
Identity
Is Mount Aloysius College Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Mount Aloysius College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,165 — 14% below average — while paying $22,344/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% 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.
With median debt of $24,287 representing 53% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Mount Aloysius College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Mount Aloysius College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #56 of 126 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #4 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #5 | Bay Path University | 49 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #56 | Mount Aloysius College | 29 | $22,344 | $46,165 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Mount Aloysius College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in PA.
Best Programs at Mount Aloysius College
The highest-earning program at Mount Aloysius College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $20,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Mount Aloysius College earns $61,900, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $20,500. 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 $26,991 in median debt vs. $30,625 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,344/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 | $61,900 | $61,900 | $26,991 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,600 | $33,600 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $20,500 | $20,500 | $30,625 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Cresson, PA
- Student Body
- 1,094 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,344
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,165
- Median Student Debt
- $24,287