Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Susquehanna University at a Glance
Susquehanna University is a private liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States. Its name is derived from the Susquehannock. Founded in 1858 as a missionary institute, it became a four-year liberal arts college in 1895. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In addition to an arts and sciences focus, Susquehanna has a business school, master's degrees in education, and joint-degree programs in engineering and for a master of business administration…
1858
168 years old
$243M
$242.6 million (2025)
2,239
226
297 acres
Identity
Is Susquehanna University Worth It?
Susquehanna University offers moderate value at $28,819/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,723, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 78% graduation rate means roughly 22% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Susquehanna University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #51 of 143 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 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #6 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #51 | Susquehanna University | 42 | $28,819 | $61,723 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Susquehanna University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 18 in PA.
Best Programs at Susquehanna University
The highest-earning program at Susquehanna University is Accounting and Related Services at $56,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Susquehanna University earns $56,000, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $19,700. 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: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $23,250 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,819/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,000 | $56,000 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,500 | $46,500 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $42,700 | $42,700 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $32,800 | $32,800 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $19,700 | $19,700 | $23,250 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Selinsgrove, PA
- Student Body
- 2,163 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,819
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,723
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000