University of Scranton
University of Scranton — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Scranton at a Glance
The University of Scranton is a private Jesuit university in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1888 by William O'Hara, the first bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, as St. Thomas College. The university is composed of three colleges that each contain both undergraduate and graduate programs.
1888
138 years old
$343M
$342.85 million (2025)
4,619
3,586 undergrad · 1,033 grad
304
58 acres
Identity
Is University of Scranton Worth It?
University of Scranton offers moderate value at $32,568/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $74,652, 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 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Scranton compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #28 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 |
| #28 | University of Scranton | 46 | $32,568 | $74,652 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Scranton's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in PA.
Best Programs at University of Scranton
The highest-earning program at University of Scranton is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $76,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $25,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Scranton earns $76,400, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $25,500. 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 $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $32,568/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 | $76,400 | $76,400 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,700 | $56,700 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,800 | $55,800 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,400 | $44,400 | $26,691 |
| Marketing | $41,200 | $41,200 | $26,399 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $40,300 | $40,300 | $26,250 |
| Public Health | $37,900 | $37,900 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $34,200 | $34,200 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,100 | $33,100 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,300 | $32,300 | $25,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,900 | $30,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $27,000 |
| History | $26,300 | $26,300 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Scranton, PA
- Student Body
- 3,554 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $32,568
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $74,652
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000