Saint Peter's University combines open access admissions with strong economic uplift outcomes. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university produces $16,285 in earnings beyond expectations while serving 54.2% Pell-eligible students, supporting economic advancement for working-class families in the New York metropolitan area.
With above average outcomes, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With well above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and effective financial aid
With above average performance, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Around the national average, reflecting the combination of high access with moderate earnings outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisSaint Peter's University delivers strong earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds and institutional profile. Graduates earn a median of $57,815 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 65th percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median of $50,412 by $7,403 annually.
Earnings range from $33,169 at the 25th percentile to $83,514 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across health, business, and service sectors. The institution generates $16,285 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 92nd percentile nationally with top-tier performance on this measure.
Students from lower-income backgrounds seeking strong post-graduation earnings at an accessible private Catholic institution. Well-suited for first-generation college students (48.0%) and Pell-eligible students (54.2%) who value small class sizes and personalized attention while pursuing career-focused programs in health sciences, business, or criminal justice.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Saint Peter's University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/saint-peters-university/analysis.
Top-tier earnings beyond expectations performance
Saint Peter's University ranks #423 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with composite performance at the 74th percentile. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, this small private nonprofit institution maintains open access admissions with a 90.5% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
Saint Peter's University enrolls 54.2% Pell-eligible students and 48.0% first-generation students, placing it well above typical private institutions on access measures. The university also serves 41.3% transfer students, reflecting its commitment to diverse educational pathways.
Graduates earn $16,285 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 92nd percentile nationally in top-tier performance. Median earnings reach $57,815 ten years after enrollment, placing Saint Peter's University in the 65th percentile for long-term earnings.
This combination of high access, manageable admissions standards, and strong economic outcomes positions Saint Peter's University as an Opportunity Builder institution.
Saint Peter's University admits 90.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Saint Peter's University in the Open Access category, with admission rates above 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% indicates that Saint Peter's University is more accessible than many similar private nonprofit institutions. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to provide educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, including working-class families and first-generation college students.
For prospective students, this selectivity level means that admission is likely for students who meet basic academic requirements and demonstrate college readiness. However, students should still submit strong applications that highlight their academic preparation and career goals.
The open access approach allows Saint Peter's University to serve as an accessible pathway to higher education for students who might face barriers at more selective institutions. When building a college list, students can treat Saint Peter's University as a likely admission option while also considering program fit, cost, and career outcomes in their decision-making process.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
31 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
27 graduates
Biology, General.
80 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
56 graduates
Digital Marketing.
25 graduates
Saint Peter's University offers 10 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Biology ranks #14 nationally and #2 in New Jersey, producing 80 graduates with median earnings of $57,390 and an exceptional value score of 96.5.
Adult Health Nursing ranks #134 nationally and #9 in New Jersey, graduating 31 students with strong median earnings of $86,630 and a value score of 51.5. Accounting Technology ranks #132 nationally and #8 in New Jersey, with 27 graduates earning $72,099.
Business Administration and Management graduates 56 students annually with median earnings of $51,375, ranking #272 nationally but representing the university's largest business program. Corrections Administration ranks #106 nationally and #9 in New Jersey, graduating 53 students with median earnings of $44,423.
These programs demonstrate Saint Peter's University's focus on career-oriented education with strong professional outcomes across health sciences, business, and criminal justice fields.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Saint Peter's University's published cost of attendance is $50,052 per year, including $41,054 in tuition, $17,590 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $12,973 after financial aid, representing savings of $37,079 or 74% off the sticker price.
This substantial discount reflects the university's commitment to making education accessible for working-class families. The net price of $12,973 falls well below the peer median of $21,812, making Saint Peter's University $8,839 more affordable than similar institutions.
This pricing advantage positions the university as a strong value proposition for students seeking private education quality at a more accessible price point. The significant gap between sticker price and actual cost demonstrates that most families should focus on net price rather than published tuition when evaluating affordability.
Saint Peter's University's financial aid strategy effectively reduces barriers for lower-income students while maintaining the resources of a private nonprofit institution. For prospective students, these figures indicate that a Saint Peter's University education may be more affordable than initially expected, particularly for families qualifying for need-based aid.
Saint Peter's University graduates demonstrate substantial earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $42,470 six years after enrollment to $51,554 at eight years and $57,815 at ten years, representing 36.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 677 to 847 graduates across different time horizons, providing solid confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $16,285 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Saint Peter's University in the 92nd percentile for earnings uplift with top-tier performance.
Low-income graduates earn $46,100, reflecting the university's effectiveness in serving students from diverse economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $33,169 at the 25th percentile to $83,514 at the 75th percentile, a 2.5:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 24.5% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study based on program mix analysis, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. Compared to the peer median earnings of $50,412, Saint Peter's University graduates earn $7,403 more annually.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of The Pacific Similar quality tier (#415 ranked) | CA | 95% | $78,445 | #415 | Compare |
Molloy College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#411 ranked) | NY | 76% | $77,789 | #411 | Compare |
University Of Mount Saint Vincent Similar quality tier in Northeast (#418 ranked) | NY | 85% | $65,756 | #418 | Compare |
University Of La Verne Similar quality tier (#419 ranked) | CA | 48% | $65,464 | #419 | Compare |
University Of St Francis Similar quality tier (#410 ranked) | IL | 64% | $63,926 | #410 | Compare |