Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Seton Hall University at a Glance
Seton Hall University (SHU) is a private Catholic research university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by then-Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley and named after his aunt, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States.
1856
170 years old
$388M
$388.4 million (2025)
9,529
6,109 undergrad · 3,420 grad
58 acres
Identity
Is Seton Hall University Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Seton Hall University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $70,196 — 31% above average — while paying $31,446/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.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% 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 Seton Hall University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Seton Hall University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 46 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 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #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 |
| #23 | Seton Hall University | 39 | $31,446 | $70,196 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Seton Hall University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Seton Hall University
The highest-earning program at Seton Hall University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $71,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Design and Applied Arts at $22,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Seton Hall University earns $71,400, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $22,400. 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 $25,000 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Design and Applied Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $31,446/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 | $71,400 | $71,400 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,800 | $61,800 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,600 | $49,600 | $24,987 |
| Economics | $44,500 | $44,500 | $22,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $44,300 | $44,300 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,300 | $40,300 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $39,600 | $39,600 | $25,625 |
| Political Science and Government | $38,300 | $38,300 | $19,500 |
| Sociology | $37,000 | $37,000 | $26,311 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $36,000 | $36,000 | $25,437 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,900 | $35,900 | $22,986 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $32,700 | $32,700 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,600 | $31,600 | $25,827 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $31,200 | $31,200 | $23,250 |
| Social Work | $29,600 | $29,600 | $25,000 |
| History | $29,500 | $29,500 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,500 | $28,500 | $25,385 |
| Psychology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $22,400 | $22,400 | $26,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- South Orange, NJ
- Student Body
- 6,036 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $31,446
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,196
- Median Student Debt
- $22,750