Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Villa Maria College Worth It?
At a value score of 22/100, Villa Maria College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,857 — 28% below average — while paying $13,494/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 31% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $21,250 representing 55% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Villa Maria College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Villa Maria College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #28 of 78 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 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #5 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #6 | Martin Luther College | 46 | $18,463 | $47,491 |
| #28 | Villa Maria College | 22 | $13,494 | $38,857 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Villa Maria College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in NY.
Best Programs at Villa Maria College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Villa Maria College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,494/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
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Buffalo, NY
- Student Body
- 603 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 31%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,494
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,857
- Median Student Debt
- $21,250