Suffolk University
Suffolk University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Suffolk University at a Glance
Suffolk University is a private university in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. With 7,560 students on all campuses, it is the tenth-largest university in metropolitan Boston. It was founded as a law school in 1906 and named after its location in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The university is also host to its namesake public opinion poll, the Suffolk University Political Research Center.
1906
120 years old
$261M
$260.5 million (2025)
6,403
4,319 undergrad · 2,078 grad
350 acres
Identity
Is Suffolk University Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Suffolk University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $67,506 — 26% above average — while paying $29,618/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 60% graduation rate means roughly 40% 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 Suffolk University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Suffolk University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #65 of 92 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 Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #3 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #4 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #5 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #6 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #65 | Suffolk University | 34 | $29,618 | $67,506 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Suffolk University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in MA.
Best Programs at Suffolk University
The highest-earning program at Suffolk University is Finance and Financial Management Services at $49,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature/Letters, Other at $20,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from Suffolk University earns $49,400, while a English Language and Literature/Letters, Other graduate earns $20,600. 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: Finance and Financial Management Services graduates carry $26,247 in median debt vs. $27,000 for English Language and Literature/Letters, Other.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,618/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 | $49,400 | $49,400 | $26,247 |
| Information Science/Studies | $49,200 | $49,200 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $45,200 | $45,200 | $25,949 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,600 | $44,600 | $27,000 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $42,900 | $42,900 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $42,600 | $42,600 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,900 | $41,900 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $39,300 | $39,300 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,100 | $37,100 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,600 | $36,600 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $27,000 |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $31,700 | $31,700 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other | $20,600 | $20,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Student Body
- 4,268 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,618
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,506
- Median Student Debt
- $26,889