Quinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Quinnipiac University at a Glance
Quinnipiac University is a private university in Hamden, Connecticut, United States. The university grants undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. It also hosts the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
1929
97 years old
$745M
$744.8 million (2025)
9,744
6,557 undergrad · 2,867 grad
350
600 acres
Identity
Is Quinnipiac University Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Quinnipiac University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $83,759 — 56% above average — while paying $40,675/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.
The 77% graduation rate means roughly 24% 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 Quinnipiac University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Quinnipiac University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #17 of 26 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 Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #2 | Molloy University | 57 | $24,347 | $77,789 |
| #3 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #4 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #5 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #6 | Manhattan University | 51 | $27,256 | $86,316 |
| #17 | Quinnipiac University | 39 | $40,675 | $83,759 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Quinnipiac University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in CT.
Best Programs at Quinnipiac University
The highest-earning program at Quinnipiac University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $72,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other at $30,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Quinnipiac University earns $72,600, while a Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other graduate earns $30,100. 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. $26,000 for Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $40,675/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 | $72,600 | $72,600 | $24,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $59,800 | $59,800 | $19,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $59,500 | $59,500 | $21,337 |
| Information Science/Studies | $55,800 | $55,800 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,700 | $49,700 | $26,153 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,700 | $41,700 | $25,874 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $39,900 | $39,900 | $27,000 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $38,500 | $38,500 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,800 | $34,800 | $27,000 |
| Journalism | $34,100 | $34,100 | $27,000 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | $33,100 | $33,100 | $25,130 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,800 | $31,800 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $31,700 | $31,700 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $31,500 | $31,500 | $27,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $30,100 | $30,100 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hamden, CT
- Student Body
- 6,531 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $40,675
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $83,759
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000