Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster at a Glance
Saint Joseph's University is a private Jesuit university in Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, United States. The university was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851 as Saint Joseph's College, named after Saint Joseph. It is the seventh oldest Jesuit university in the United States and the sixth largest university in Philadelphia. The university has an additional campus in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
1851
175 years old
$484M
$484.2 million (2025)
7,159
5,044 undergrad · 2,115 grad
449
149 acres
Identity
Is Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $86,881 — 62% above average — while paying $42,478/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% 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 Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #10 of 12 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 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #2 | Union College | 53 | $34,561 | $88,604 |
| #3 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 49 | $28,199 | $70,871 |
| #4 | Rhodes College | 48 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
| #5 | Hampden-Sydney College | 48 | $22,400 | $67,640 |
| #6 | Scripps College | 45 | $36,294 | $77,539 |
| #10 | Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster | 35 | $42,478 | $86,881 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster
The highest-earning program at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,900/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster earns $63,900, while a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate earns $63,900. 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 $24,125 in median debt vs. $24,125 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $42,478/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 | $63,900 | $63,900 | $24,125 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lancaster, PA
- Student Body
- 1,280 students
- Admission Rate
- 41%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $42,478
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $86,881
- Median Student Debt
- $25,500