Saint Peter's University
Saint Peter's University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Peter's University at a Glance
Saint Peter's University is a private Jesuit university in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States. Founded as Saint Peter's College in 1872 by the Society of Jesus, the university offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 3,600 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students. Its mascot is the peacock and its sports teams play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, of which it is a founding member.
1872
154 years old
3,572
2,263 undergrad · 1,309 grad
103
30 acres
Identity
Is Saint Peter's University Worth It?
Saint Peter's University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $12,199/year, it's priced 40% below average, while graduates go on to earn $57,815 — 7% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 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.
With a 90% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: Saint Peter's University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Saint Peter's University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NJ
Ranked #6 of 186 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 Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #4 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #5 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #6 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Peter's University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in NJ.
Best Programs at Saint Peter's University
The highest-earning program at Saint Peter's University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $80,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $20,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Saint Peter's University earns $80,900, while a Biology, General graduate earns $20,900. 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 $23,926 in median debt vs. $24,625 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,199/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 | $80,900 | $80,900 | $23,926 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,000 | $40,000 | $23,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,900 | $29,900 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,500 | $25,500 | $24,861 |
| Biology, General | $20,900 | $20,900 | $24,625 |
Similar Colleges in NJ
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Jersey City, NJ
- Student Body
- 2,135 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,199
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,815
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500