Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Leo University at a Glance
Saint Leo University is a private Catholic university in St. Leo, Florida, United States. It was established in 1889. The university is associated with the Holy Name Monastery, a Benedictine convent, and Saint Leo Abbey, a Benedictine monastery. The university and the abbey are both named for Pope Leo the Great, bishop of Rome from 440 to 461. The name also honors Leo XIII, who was pope at the time the university was founded, and Leo Haid, then abbot of Maryhelp Abbey in North Carolina, now Belm…
1889
137 years old
10,231
565
Identity
Is Saint Leo University Worth It?
At a value score of 27/100, Saint Leo University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,364 — 10% below average — while paying $21,293/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.
A 47% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 $25,278 representing 52% 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 Saint Leo University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Saint Leo University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #16 of 33 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 | Calvin University | 48 | $22,992 | $58,375 |
| #3 | Aurora University | 46 | $18,838 | $58,709 |
| #4 | Mercer University | 44 | $23,847 | $58,354 |
| #5 | Hope College | 44 | $27,182 | $58,427 |
| #6 | Ensign College | 44 | $10,824 | $50,630 |
| #16 | Saint Leo University | 27 | $21,293 | $48,364 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Leo University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in FL.
Best Programs at Saint Leo University
The highest-earning program at Saint Leo University is Management Information Systems and Services at $54,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $26,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Management Information Systems and Services graduate from Saint Leo University earns $54,900, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $26,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,293/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and Services | $54,900 | $54,900 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $49,600 | $49,600 | $27,101 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,800 | $46,800 | $28,125 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $45,200 | $45,200 | $31,812 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $42,300 | $42,300 | $34,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,200 | $42,200 | $29,250 |
| Homeland Security | $41,200 | $41,200 | $25,025 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $39,500 | $39,500 | $31,185 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,500 | $38,500 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,200 | $38,200 | $28,125 |
| Sociology | $36,300 | $36,300 | $27,355 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $35,600 | $35,600 | $25,025 |
| Marketing | $34,600 | $34,600 | $27,069 |
| Social Work | $30,600 | $30,600 | $22,000 |
| Biology, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $25,884 |
| Human Services, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $28,060 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,600 | $28,600 | $23,771 |
| Psychology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $25,125 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,400 | $26,400 | $31,312 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Leo, FL
- Student Body
- 6,721 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,293
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,364
- Median Student Debt
- $25,278