Students at Seton Hall University achieve exceptional long-term financial outcomes, with graduates earning significantly more than peers at comparable institutions nationwide.
The university ranks in the top tier for both overall earnings and low-income student success, reflecting strong career preparation and valuable alumni networks.
Seton Hall University delivers exceptional long-term value for students, ranking in the top 12.5% nationally for earnings outcomes among all four-year institutions. Located in South Orange, New Jersey, this private Catholic university combines the personalized attention of a mid-sized institution with the career advantages of proximity to New York City's job market. With 71% of students completing their degrees within six years and graduates earning a median of $70,196 ten years after enrollment, Seton Hall consistently produces strong financial returns.
What distinguishes Seton Hall is its ability to help students exceed earnings expectations. Graduates earn about $2,700 more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting the university's effectiveness in career preparation and professional networking. The school serves a moderately diverse student body, with about 30% receiving Pell Grants and 28% being first-generation college students, though access remains more limited than at large public universities.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Seton Hall focuses on delivering strong outcomes for the students it enrolls. The university's location in the New York metropolitan area provides exceptional internship and career opportunities, particularly in finance, healthcare, business, and communications. For families who can navigate the higher private school costs, Seton Hall offers a compelling combination of academic quality, career preparation, and long-term financial success.
Seton Hall's program portfolio reflects its strength in professional fields that lead directly to well-paying careers. Adult Health Nursing stands out with the highest median earnings at $74,576, benefiting from strong demand for advanced practice nurses in the New York metropolitan area. The program's 94 graduates represent a focused but impactful cohort that consistently achieves exceptional financial outcomes.
Banking and Financial Support Services combines strong individual earnings of $55,693 with the largest high-return enrollment at 150 graduates, making it the university's most significant economic engine. This program leverages Seton Hall's proximity to Wall Street and major financial institutions, providing students with exceptional internship and career opportunities. Biology, while showing more moderate early-career earnings at $28,366, enrolls the largest number of students at 129 graduates and often serves as preparation for medical school, graduate programs, or research careers.
The university's location near New York City amplifies the value of these programs through access to internships, networking events, and career opportunities that might not be available at institutions in smaller markets. International Relations and Affairs, despite lower early-career earnings at $30,409, benefits from the region's concentration of international organizations, media companies, and government agencies that value this expertise for long-term career development.
Seton Hall University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $70,196, with the university ranking in the top 12.5% for earnings outcomes. More importantly, Seton Hall graduates earn about $2,700 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in career preparation and professional development. This earnings advantage reflects both the quality of academic programs and the strategic advantage of the university's location near New York City's robust job market.
The strongest financial returns come from Seton Hall's professional programs. Adult Health Nursing leads with median earnings of $74,576, reflecting the high demand for advanced practice nurses in the region. Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earn $55,693 and represent the largest high-return program with 150 graduates, combining strong individual outcomes with substantial aggregate impact. Biology, the university's largest program with 129 graduates, shows more moderate early-career earnings at $28,366, typical for students pursuing graduate school or entry-level research positions.
Seton Hall's location in the New York metropolitan area provides graduates with access to some of the nation's highest-paying job markets in finance, healthcare, media, and technology. While the region's cost of living is above the national average, the university's strong earnings outcomes help graduates manage higher living expenses while building long-term wealth. The combination of solid academic preparation, extensive alumni networks, and proximity to major employers creates a foundation for sustained career growth.
Affordability at Seton Hall University reflects the typical private university pricing structure, with net costs varying significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay about $17,681 annually after aid, which is competitive for a private institution but still represents a substantial investment. Middle-income families face net prices around $24,326, while high-income families pay approximately $41,110 per year. These costs place Seton Hall in the lower 19th percentile for affordability nationally, meaning most comparable institutions offer lower net prices.
The university's financial aid strategy focuses on making attendance possible for students from various economic backgrounds, though the aid structure requires careful family planning. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating meaningful enrollment of lower-income students despite the higher price point. The gap between sticker price and net price suggests that Seton Hall provides substantial institutional aid to many families, though the final costs remain significant compared to public alternatives.
For families considering Seton Hall, the affordability calculation must weigh upfront costs against long-term returns. While net prices are higher than most institutions, graduates' strong earnings outcomes help justify the investment for many families. The key is ensuring that borrowing levels remain manageable relative to expected career earnings, particularly for students in lower-earning fields who may need to rely more heavily on the university's location and alumni network advantages.
Seton Hall University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
