Students at Stetson University benefit from a private college environment that delivers meaningful economic outcomes, particularly for those from lower-income backgrounds who achieve earnings well above national averages.
The combination of strong completion rates and solid long-term earnings reflects the university's commitment to student success across diverse economic backgrounds.
Stetson University is a medium-sized private nonprofit institution in DeLand, Florida, that combines the intimate feel of a liberal arts college with professional program strength. With around 35% of students receiving Pell Grants and 27% being first-generation college students, Stetson maintains reasonable access while delivering solid long-term outcomes for graduates who complete their degrees.
The university's graduates earn a median of $51,642 ten years after enrollment, placing it around the national average for similar institutions. What distinguishes Stetson is its ability to serve students from diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining strong completion rates—63% of students graduate within six years, with Pell recipients graduating at nearly the same rate as their peers.
As a private institution in Florida, Stetson offers the advantages of small class sizes, close faculty relationships, and a tight-knit campus community. The university's program mix emphasizes business, psychology, and health sciences, with particularly strong outcomes in banking and financial services. For students who thrive in smaller academic environments and can manage private college pricing, Stetson provides a solid foundation for career success.
Stetson University's program portfolio reflects a focused liberal arts and professional education approach, with particularly strong outcomes in business and finance fields. Banking and Financial Support Services emerges as the standout program, combining solid enrollment of 73 graduates with strong median earnings of $48,667, making it the university's highest-return major. This program exemplifies Stetson's ability to connect students directly to well-paying career opportunities in Florida's growing financial services sector.
Business Administration, while enrolling fewer students at 45 graduates, also delivers competitive outcomes with median earnings of $39,009. Psychology remains the most popular major with 83 graduates, though earnings are more modest at $25,194, reflecting the field's typical trajectory where many graduates pursue additional education or gain experience before reaching higher compensation levels.
The variation in outcomes across programs highlights the importance of major selection at Stetson. Students in business and finance consistently outperform institutional averages, while those in liberal arts fields may need to consider graduate school or specific career strategies to maximize their earning potential. The university's small size and close faculty relationships provide opportunities for mentorship and career guidance that can help students in any field make strategic decisions about their post-graduation paths.
Stetson University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the value of a private college education. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $51,642, which places the university around the national average for similar institutions. While earnings don't dramatically exceed expectations compared to peer schools, graduates consistently find stable employment and build successful careers across various fields.
The strongest financial outcomes come from business and finance programs. Banking and Financial Support Services stands out as both the highest-return program and a key economic driver, with 73 graduates earning a median of $48,667 ten years out. Business Administration graduates, while fewer in number at 45, also see solid returns with median earnings of $39,009. Psychology remains the most popular major with 83 graduates, though earnings are more modest at $25,194, reflecting the field's typical career trajectory that often requires additional education or experience for higher compensation.
Program choice significantly impacts earning potential at Stetson. Students in business and finance fields consistently outperform the institutional median, while those in psychology and health sciences see more variable outcomes depending on their specific career paths and whether they pursue graduate education. The university's small size means students receive individualized attention that can help them maximize their chosen field's potential.
Stetson University's private college pricing requires careful financial planning, though the institution provides meaningful aid to make attendance more accessible. Low-income students pay a net price of $17,596 annually, which is competitive for a private institution, while middle-income families face costs around $19,475 per year. Higher-income families see net prices rise to $32,728, reflecting the typical private college pricing structure where aid decreases as family income increases.
The university's aid strategy helps bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay, particularly for students with demonstrated financial need. With over one-third of students receiving Pell Grants, Stetson clearly serves families across the economic spectrum, though the financial commitment remains substantial compared to public alternatives.
Debt levels reflect the private college premium but remain within manageable ranges for most graduates. Federal student loan debt averages $23,250, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages $33,645 for families who choose this option. Given Stetson's median graduate earnings of $51,642, most borrowers can handle standard repayment schedules, though families should carefully consider total borrowing across all sources when making enrollment decisions.
Stetson University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
