Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Thomas Jefferson University at a Glance
Thomas Jefferson University is a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Established in its earliest form in 1824, the university officially combined with Philadelphia University in 2017. The university is named for U.S. Founding Father and president Thomas Jefferson. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
1824
202 years old
$1.5B
$1.533 billion (2021)
7,831
3,665 undergrad · 4,361 grad
104 acres
Identity
Is Thomas Jefferson University Worth It?
Thomas Jefferson University offers moderate value at $28,928/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $77,449, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Median student debt of $14,744 is manageable at just 19% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Thomas Jefferson University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #23 of 74 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 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #3 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #4 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #5 | University of Portland | 59 | $28,210 | $82,804 |
| #6 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #23 | Thomas Jefferson University | 46 | $28,928 | $77,449 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Thomas Jefferson University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in PA.
Best Programs at Thomas Jefferson University
The highest-earning program at Thomas Jefferson University is Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $71,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General at $33,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduate from Thomas Jefferson University earns $71,300, while a Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General graduate earns $33,000. 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: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduates carry $12,500 in median debt vs. $24,207 for Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,928/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $71,300 | $71,300 | $12,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,000 | $68,000 | $12,500 |
| Construction Management | $53,100 | $53,100 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $49,000 | $49,000 | N/A |
| Architecture | $44,900 | $44,900 | $31,000 |
| Interior Architecture | $41,700 | $41,700 | N/A |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $37,600 | $37,600 | $26,987 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,900 | $35,900 | $28,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,800 | $33,800 | $27,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $33,000 | $33,000 | $24,207 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
- Student Body
- 3,755 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,928
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $77,449
- Median Student Debt
- $14,744