Students at the College of Saint Benedict achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations for graduates of similar liberal arts institutions, reflecting exceptional career preparation and professional outcomes.
The college's focused academic programs and personalized attention translate into meaningful long-term financial success for alumni across multiple fields.
The College of Saint Benedict delivers exceptional long-term value despite its higher price point, ranking in the 87th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes among similar institutions. This small liberal arts college in Minnesota consistently produces graduates who earn strong salaries ten years after enrollment, with median earnings of $63,260 that place the institution well above typical expectations for colleges of its size and type.
What makes Saint Benedict distinctive is how effectively it prepares students for high-earning careers despite serving a relatively modest number of graduates each year. The college's focused academic programs, particularly in nursing and business fields, create pathways to stable, well-compensated professions. With an 83% six-year graduation rate and strong alumni networks in professional fields, Saint Benedict demonstrates that small liberal arts colleges can compete with larger institutions on career outcomes.
As a private nonprofit institution, Saint Benedict requires families to invest more upfront than typical public options, but the return on that investment proves substantial over time. The college's combination of personalized education, strong professional preparation, and impressive earnings outcomes makes it a compelling choice for families who prioritize long-term financial success and can manage the initial cost commitment.
The College of Saint Benedict's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on professional fields that lead directly to stable, well-compensated careers. Nursing stands out as both the largest program and highest aggregate return generator, with 52 graduates earning around $63,005 ten years after graduation. This program exemplifies the college's strength in health sciences preparation, combining rigorous academic training with extensive clinical experience that employers value highly.
Business and accounting programs also deliver strong outcomes, with Accounting Technology graduates achieving the highest individual earnings at $58,673 despite smaller cohort sizes of 26 students. Biology, while showing more modest early earnings at $27,126, represents another substantial program with 52 graduates who often pursue advanced degrees in medicine, veterinary science, or research fields.
The college's small scale allows for intensive mentoring and professional development that larger institutions often cannot provide. Faculty work closely with students to develop career-relevant skills, secure internships, and build professional networks that prove valuable throughout graduates' careers. This personalized approach helps explain why Saint Benedict alumni achieve earnings levels that exceed expectations for liberal arts college graduates, particularly in competitive professional fields.
Graduates of the College of Saint Benedict achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that justify the institution's higher upfront investment. Ten years after enrollment, alumni earn a median of $63,260, placing the college in the 87th percentile nationally for earnings performance. This represents solid return on investment for a small liberal arts institution, with graduates consistently outperforming many peers in similar educational settings.
The college's strongest financial returns come from its professional programs, particularly nursing and business fields. Adult Health Nursing graduates, representing the largest cohort with 52 students, earn around $63,005 ten years out and generate the highest aggregate return for the institution. Accounting Technology graduates see even higher individual earnings at $58,673, while Biology majors, though earning less at $27,126, represent another substantial program with 52 graduates annually.
Saint Benedict's focused program portfolio emphasizes career-oriented fields that lead directly to stable employment. The college's small scale allows for intensive professional preparation and strong employer relationships, particularly in healthcare and business sectors. This targeted approach helps explain why graduates achieve earnings levels that exceed expectations for liberal arts college alumni, creating meaningful long-term value despite the higher initial cost of attendance.
The College of Saint Benedict requires a significant financial commitment from families, with net prices that reflect its status as a private liberal arts institution. Low-income students pay approximately $14,326 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $22,544 per year, and high-income households pay about $32,617. These prices place Saint Benedict in the 24th percentile for affordability, meaning most similar institutions cost less upfront.
Despite higher sticker prices, the college provides meaningful financial aid that reduces costs substantially from the full tuition rate. The aid structure helps make the institution accessible to students from various economic backgrounds, though families should expect to contribute more than they would at public alternatives. The college's financial aid approach focuses on making attendance possible while maintaining the resources needed for small class sizes and personalized attention.
What helps offset the higher costs is the college's track record of preparing students for well-paying careers. With graduates earning strong salaries and maintaining excellent loan repayment rates, families can approach the investment with confidence that the financial commitment will pay dividends over time. The combination of solid earnings outcomes and manageable debt levels creates a sustainable financial pathway for most graduates.
College Of Saint Benedict Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
