Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Louis University at a Glance
Saint Louis University (SLU) is a private Jesuit research university in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River and one of the oldest Jesuit universities in the United States. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
1818
208 years old
$2.0B
$2.02 billion (2025)
13,307
100 undergrad · 6,665 grad
2,100
273 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Saint Louis University
Official admissions pageIs Saint Louis University Worth It?
Saint Louis University offers moderate value at $24,398/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $70,783, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Saint Louis University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 45 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 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #4 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #5 | University of the Pacific | 53 | $25,447 | $78,445 |
| #6 | University of Dayton | 52 | $29,533 | $75,537 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Louis University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MO.
Best Programs at Saint Louis University
The highest-earning program at Saint Louis University is Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at $65,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $19,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduate from Saint Louis University earns $65,600, while a Biology, General graduate earns $19,500. 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: Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,398/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $65,600 | $65,600 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $60,700 | $60,700 | $36,228 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,000 | $58,000 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $54,000 | $54,000 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,200 | $45,200 | $25,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $44,400 | $44,400 | $33,725 |
| Mathematics | $39,400 | $39,400 | N/A |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $38,900 | $38,900 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,000 | $38,000 | $25,000 |
| Education, General | $34,200 | $34,200 | $26,200 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,000 | $33,000 | $24,788 |
| Psychology, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $26,029 |
| Public Health | $27,200 | $27,200 | $26,000 |
| History | $24,400 | $24,400 | $26,849 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $23,000 | $23,000 | $23,580 |
| Political Science and Government | $20,000 | $20,000 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $19,500 | $19,500 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in MO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Louis, MO
- Student Body
- 7,267 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,398
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,783
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000