University of St Thomas
University of St Thomas — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is University of St Thomas Worth It?
University of St Thomas offers moderate value at $29,155/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $73,739, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 76% graduation rate means roughly 24% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of St Thomas compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #12 of 42 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 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #3 | University of Portland | 59 | $28,210 | $82,804 |
| #4 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | 58 | $29,689 | $86,881 |
| #5 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #6 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #12 | University of St Thomas | 48 | $29,155 | $73,739 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of St Thomas's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MN.
Best Programs at University of St Thomas
The highest-earning program at University of St Thomas is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $69,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Philosophy at $19,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of St Thomas earns $69,700, while a Philosophy graduate earns $19,600. 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: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $28,000 in median debt vs. $20,762 for Philosophy.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,155/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $69,700 | $69,700 | $28,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $66,700 | $66,700 | $22,500 |
| Computer Science | $65,300 | $65,300 | $23,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,100 | $65,100 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,900 | $55,900 | $25,546 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $54,700 | $54,700 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,000 | $48,000 | $23,125 |
| Real Estate | $47,800 | $47,800 | $26,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $47,300 | $47,300 | $22,482 |
| Economics | $46,900 | $46,900 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $46,000 | $46,000 | $26,500 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $44,300 | $44,300 | $21,500 |
| Social Work | $38,500 | $38,500 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,200 | $38,200 | $28,000 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $38,100 | $38,100 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,600 | $36,600 | $27,625 |
| Public Health | $36,400 | $36,400 | $26,500 |
| Psychology, General | $32,500 | $32,500 | $21,500 |
| Biology, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $26,686 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $25,200 | $25,200 | $22,750 |
| Philosophy | $19,600 | $19,600 | $20,762 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Saint Paul, MN
- Student Body
- 6,245 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,155
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $73,739
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250