St Catherine University
St Catherine University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
St Catherine University at a Glance
St. Catherine University is a private Catholic university in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. It was established as one of the first institutions of higher learning specifically for women in the Midwest and was known as the College of St. Catherine until 2009. St. Kate's offers baccalaureate programs for women as well as graduate and associate programs for women and men.
1905
121 years old
$75M
$74.8 million (2016)
3,699
2,602 undergrad · 1,097 grad
340
Identity
Is St Catherine University Worth It?
St Catherine University offers moderate value at $19,764/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,282, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How St Catherine University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MN
Ranked #18 of 129 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 | 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 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #6 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #18 | St Catherine University | 47 | $19,764 | $59,282 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of St Catherine University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in MN.
Best Programs at St Catherine University
The highest-earning program at St Catherine University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $26,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from St Catherine University earns $65,300, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $26,000. 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 $25,750 in median debt vs. $26,253 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,764/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 | $65,300 | $65,300 | $25,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $61,600 | $61,600 | $32,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,100 | $53,100 | $29,541 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,600 | $43,600 | $35,200 |
| Social Work | $40,700 | $40,700 | $30,343 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,800 | $34,800 | $29,572 |
| Public Health | $32,800 | $32,800 | $29,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,700 | $32,700 | $35,500 |
| American Sign Language | $28,600 | $28,600 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,600 | $27,600 | $26,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $26,253 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Paul, MN
- Student Body
- 2,473 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,764
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,282
- Median Student Debt
- $24,181