St. John Fisher University
St. John Fisher University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
St. John Fisher University at a Glance
St. John Fisher University is a private university in Rochester, New York. It is named after John Fisher, an English Catholic cardinal and saint. It was named St. John Fisher College until July 1, 2022.
1948
78 years old
$158M
$158.3 million (2025)
2,700
154 acres
Identity
Is St. John Fisher University Worth It?
St. John Fisher University offers moderate value at $28,945/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $66,944, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How St. John Fisher University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #32 of 96 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 St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #5 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #32 | St. John Fisher University | 43 | $28,945 | $66,944 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of St. John Fisher University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in NY.
Best Programs at St. John Fisher University
The highest-earning program at St. John Fisher University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $21,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from St. John Fisher University earns $61,100, while a Biology, General graduate earns $21,800. 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 $23,687 in median debt vs. $24,937 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,945/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 | $61,100 | $61,100 | $23,687 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,700 | $44,700 | $23,251 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,800 | $37,800 | $23,000 |
| Marketing | $37,000 | $37,000 | $20,276 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $36,100 | $36,100 | $25,000 |
| Chemistry | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $34,900 | $34,900 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,600 | $30,600 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,300 | $29,300 | $21,265 |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $23,407 |
| Biology, General | $21,800 | $21,800 | $24,937 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Rochester, NY
- Student Body
- 2,565 students
- Admission Rate
- 66%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,945
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $66,944
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250