Pace University
Pace University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pace University at a Glance
Pace University is a private university with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, United States. It was established in 1906 as a business school by the brothers Homer St. Clair Pace and Charles A. Pace. Pace enrolls about 13,000 students as of fall 2021 in bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs.
1906
120 years old
$289M
$288.9 million (2025)
14,092
8,176 undergrad · 5,916 grad
1,238
Identity
Is Pace University Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Pace University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $70,378 — 31% above average — while paying $30,892/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 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: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Pace University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pace University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #32 of 48 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 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #3 | Molloy University | 57 | $24,347 | $77,789 |
| #4 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #5 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #6 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #32 | Pace University | 35 | $30,892 | $70,378 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Pace University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in NY.
Best Programs at Pace University
The highest-earning program at Pace University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $84,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Dance at $22,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Pace University earns $84,500, while a Dance graduate earns $22,900. 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 $24,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Dance.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,892/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 | $84,500 | $84,500 | $24,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $59,900 | $59,900 | $26,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,000 | $56,000 | $23,375 |
| Economics | $55,800 | $55,800 | $26,000 |
| Computer Science | $51,400 | $51,400 | $25,500 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $51,300 | $51,300 | $25,000 |
| International Business | $43,700 | $43,700 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $42,900 | $42,900 | $25,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $42,400 | $42,400 | $24,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,300 | $42,300 | $23,250 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,600 | $41,600 | N/A |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $36,900 | $36,900 | $24,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,400 | $35,400 | $25,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $35,400 | $35,400 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,900 | $30,900 | $25,062 |
| Psychology, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $26,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $27,500 | $27,500 | $23,000 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $27,400 | $27,400 | $25,437 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $27,100 | $27,100 | $20,748 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,900 | $26,900 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,800 | $26,800 | $25,000 |
| Literature | $24,900 | $24,900 | $24,407 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,600 | $23,600 | $27,000 |
| Dance | $22,900 | $22,900 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- New York, NY
- Student Body
- 7,665 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,892
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,378
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250