Students at Barry University achieve substantially higher earnings than similar students at other institutions, with graduates earning about $26,500 beyond typical expectations.
This earnings advantage is particularly meaningful for the many low-income and first-generation students the university serves, creating genuine pathways to economic mobility.
Barry University is a medium-sized private nonprofit institution in Miami that serves as a "Mobility Engine," combining broad access with strong upward mobility outcomes for its diverse student body. Nearly 46% of students receive Pell Grants and 44% are first-generation college students, yet the university consistently helps these students achieve meaningful economic advancement. Barry's graduates earn a median of $55,966 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong outcomes in nursing and allied health fields that drive much of the institution's economic impact.
What distinguishes Barry University is its ability to deliver earnings beyond expectations—graduates earn about $26,504 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide. This substantial earnings advantage reflects the university's focus on professional programs, especially in healthcare, business, and other career-oriented fields that connect directly to Miami's growing economy.
As a private university in South Florida, Barry combines the personal attention of a smaller institution with access to one of the nation's most dynamic job markets. The university's commitment to serving first-generation and low-income students, paired with strong career outcomes, makes it an effective pathway for students seeking both educational opportunity and long-term financial security.
Barry University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that connect directly to career opportunities in South Florida's growing economy. Business Administration leads enrollment with 189 graduates and provides solid returns around $47,025, representing the university's largest economic impact through sheer scale. Adult Health Nursing, with 101 graduates earning approximately $64,174, demonstrates Barry's strength in healthcare education and benefits from strong demand for nursing professionals throughout Florida.
The university's highest-earning programs cluster in specialized health fields, with Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment professions producing early-career earnings around $84,653. These smaller, specialized programs showcase Barry's ability to prepare students for high-demand healthcare roles that offer both job security and strong compensation. The concentration in health-related fields reflects both regional workforce needs and Barry's institutional expertise in professional health education.
Program outcomes vary significantly by field, with health and business programs delivering the strongest financial returns while foundational sciences like Biology show more modest early earnings around $31,314. This pattern reflects Barry's dual mission of providing both professional preparation and foundational education, with many Biology graduates likely pursuing additional education in medical or graduate programs. The university's Miami location provides access to diverse internship and career opportunities across healthcare, business, and emerging sectors.
Barry University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with a median income of $55,966 ten years after enrollment. More importantly, they earn substantially more than expected—about $26,504 beyond what similar students achieve at comparable institutions nationwide. This earnings advantage places Barry among the stronger performers for helping students exceed typical financial expectations, particularly valuable for the many first-generation and Pell-eligible students the university serves.
The university's strongest returns come from its health-focused programs. Adult Health Nursing graduates, representing Barry's largest program with 101 students, earn around $64,174 early in their careers and benefit from strong job security in Florida's growing healthcare sector. Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment programs produce the highest early earnings at roughly $84,653, though with smaller enrollment. Business Administration, Barry's most popular major with 189 graduates, provides solid returns around $47,025 and represents the program with the highest aggregate economic impact.
Program outcomes vary significantly by field of study. While health and business programs deliver strong financial returns, fields like Biology show more modest early earnings around $31,314, reflecting the foundational nature of these degrees and the likelihood that many graduates pursue additional education. Barry's location in Miami provides access to diverse career opportunities, from healthcare and business to emerging sectors in technology and international trade.
Barry University's affordability varies significantly by family income, with the institution providing substantial support for lower-income students. Low-income families pay about $20,514 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $23,386 per year. Higher-income families face the full private university pricing at approximately $29,647 annually, reflecting Barry's commitment to need-based aid that makes private education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
The university's aid strategy focuses heavily on making education affordable for first-generation and Pell-eligible students, who represent nearly half of the student body. This approach helps explain why Barry can maintain strong outcomes for low-income students despite being a private institution. The net price structure creates a clear pathway for families who might otherwise find private university education financially out of reach.
Debt levels at Barry are manageable relative to the earnings outcomes graduates achieve. With median earnings of nearly $56,000 ten years out and the substantial earnings advantage Barry provides, most graduates can handle their debt obligations comfortably. The university's focus on career-oriented programs, particularly in healthcare and business, helps ensure that borrowing translates into sustainable career paths with reliable income potential.
Barry University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
