Utica University
Utica University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Utica University at a Glance
Utica University is a private university in Utica, New York, United States. Its main campus is in Utica, and the Robert Brvenik Center for Business Education is in downtown Utica. The university also has satellite locations in Syracuse, New York, Latham, New York, and St. Petersburg, Florida.
1946
80 years old
$36M
$35.5 million (2022)
3,733
2,580 undergrad · 1,153 grad
169
128 acres
Identity
Is Utica University Worth It?
Utica University offers moderate value at $19,108/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $63,277, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Utica University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #20 of 117 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 Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #6 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #20 | Utica University | 46 | $19,108 | $63,277 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Utica University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in NY.
Best Programs at Utica University
The highest-earning program at Utica University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $66,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General at $27,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Utica University earns $66,900, while a Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General graduate earns $27,300. 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 $22,980 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,108/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 | $66,900 | $66,900 | $22,980 |
| Homeland Security | $41,500 | $41,500 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,600 | $38,600 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,200 | $33,200 | $24,103 |
| Psychology, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $25,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $29,100 | $29,100 | $27,371 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $28,400 | $28,400 | $25,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $27,300 | $27,300 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Utica, NY
- Student Body
- 2,278 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,108
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,277
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500