St Bonaventure University
St Bonaventure University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
St Bonaventure University at a Glance
St. Bonaventure University is a private Franciscan university in St. Bonaventure, New York, United States. The Western New York campus is home to 2,134 undergraduate and graduate students, with an additional 919 graduate students enrolled in online programs. The Franciscans established the university in 1858.
1858
168 years old
$104M
$103.8 million (2025)
3,053
2,134 undergrad · 919 grad
500 acres
Identity
Is St Bonaventure University Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, St Bonaventure University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $57,214 — 6% above average — while paying $27,074/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 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 St Bonaventure University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How St Bonaventure University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #83 of 161 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 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #83 | St Bonaventure University | 36 | $27,074 | $57,214 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of St Bonaventure University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in NY.
Best Programs at St Bonaventure University
The highest-earning program at St Bonaventure University is Finance and Financial Management Services at $49,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Sociology at $25,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from St Bonaventure University earns $49,500, while a Sociology graduate earns $25,800. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Finance and Financial Management Services graduates carry $25,839 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Sociology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,074/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,500 | $49,500 | $25,839 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,000 | $48,000 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $36,500 | $36,500 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,600 | $35,600 | $19,500 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $31,200 | $31,200 | $27,000 |
| Journalism | $27,700 | $27,700 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,100 | $26,100 | $24,377 |
| Sociology | $25,800 | $25,800 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Bonaventure, NY
- Student Body
- 2,012 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,074
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,214
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000