St Lawrence University
St Lawrence University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
St Lawrence University at a Glance
St. Lawrence University (SLU) is a private liberal arts college in Canton, New York, United States. It has roughly 2,100 undergraduate and 100 graduate students.
1856
170 years old
$417M
$416.8 million (2024)
2,089
175
1,000 acres
Identity
Is St Lawrence University Worth It?
St Lawrence University offers moderate value at $28,651/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $67,258, 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 79% graduation rate means roughly 21% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How St Lawrence University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #8 of 37 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 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #3 | University of Tulsa | 74 | $15,000 | $61,408 |
| #4 | Centre College | 66 | $20,781 | $66,240 |
| #5 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #6 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #8 | St Lawrence University | 47 | $28,651 | $67,258 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of St Lawrence University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in NY.
Best Programs at St Lawrence University
The highest-earning program at St Lawrence University is Economics at $45,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is International/Global Studies at $23,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from St Lawrence University earns $45,900, while a International/Global Studies graduate earns $23,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $25,500 for International/Global Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,651/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $45,900 | $45,900 | $25,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $45,900 | $45,900 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,400 | $38,400 | $26,762 |
| History | $36,900 | $36,900 | $26,000 |
| Mathematics | $35,200 | $35,200 | $26,810 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,200 | $35,200 | $25,689 |
| Psychology, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $27,000 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $30,500 | $30,500 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $29,200 | $29,200 | $24,978 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $26,794 |
| Biology, General | $24,700 | $24,700 | $27,000 |
| International/Global Studies | $23,500 | $23,500 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Canton, NY
- Student Body
- 1,918 students
- Admission Rate
- 54%
- Graduation Rate
- 79%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,651
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,258
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000