Students at The College of Saint Scholastica achieve earnings that place the institution among the top 15% nationally, with graduates consistently outperforming expectations compared with similar colleges.
The combination of strong long-term financial outcomes and manageable debt levels makes this small private college a compelling value proposition for career-focused students.
The College of Saint Scholastica delivers exceptional long-term value for a small private institution, with graduates earning outcomes that place the college in the 88th percentile nationally for return on investment. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this private nonprofit college combines the intimate learning environment of a small campus with career preparation that consistently outperforms expectations. Students earn a median of $65,934 ten years after enrollment, with earnings that exceed what similar students achieve at comparable institutions by about $3,605.
What makes Saint Scholastica particularly compelling is how it balances selectivity with strong outcomes. As a "Selective Achievers" institution, it maintains higher admission standards while still delivering meaningful economic mobility for the students it serves. The college's strength lies especially in professional programs like nursing, which graduates 312 students annually with median earnings of $66,536, creating substantial aggregate economic impact.
For families considering private college options, Saint Scholastica offers a distinctive combination of small-college intimacy and large-college career outcomes. The institution's focus on health sciences, social work, and emerging technology fields positions graduates for stable, well-compensated careers in growing sectors of the economy.
The College of Saint Scholastica's program portfolio centers on professional preparation with particularly strong outcomes in health sciences and emerging technology fields. Adult Health Nursing dominates both enrollment and economic impact, graduating 312 students annually with median earnings of $66,536, creating over $20 million in aggregate economic value. This program alone demonstrates the college's ability to prepare large numbers of students for stable, well-compensated healthcare careers.
Beyond nursing, the college shows strength in specialized fields that reflect evolving workforce needs. The Artificial Intelligence program, though smaller with 25 graduates, produces strong early-career earnings of $53,984, positioning students for growth in technology sectors. Forensic Social Work graduates 71 students earning $40,896, reflecting the college's commitment to preparing professionals for specialized social service roles.
Even programs with more modest early earnings show the college's comprehensive approach to career preparation. Psychology graduates, while earning $33,687 in early career, benefit from the institution's overall support systems and alumni networks. The range of outcomes across programs reflects Saint Scholastica's focus on professional preparation rather than purely academic study, with most majors designed to lead directly into specific career paths with clear advancement opportunities.
Graduates of The College of Saint Scholastica achieve strong financial outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $65,934, ranking in the 88th percentile for long-term earnings among all institutions. Perhaps more importantly, graduates earn about $3,605 more than similar students at comparable colleges, demonstrating the institution's ability to deliver earnings beyond expectations through quality education and career preparation.
The college's return on investment is driven primarily by its flagship nursing program, which represents the highest aggregate return among all majors. Adult Health Nursing graduates 312 students annually with median earnings of $66,536, creating over $20 million in total economic impact. Other strong programs include Artificial Intelligence, where 25 graduates earn a median of $53,984, and Forensic Social Work, which graduates 71 students earning $40,896. Even Psychology graduates, while earning more modest early-career salaries of $33,687, benefit from the college's overall career support and alumni network.
The breadth of career outcomes reflects Saint Scholastica's focused approach to professional preparation. With 388 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, the college demonstrates consistent ability to prepare students for well-compensated careers across multiple fields, from healthcare and technology to social services and beyond.
The College of Saint Scholastica maintains relatively accessible pricing for a private institution, though costs vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay an average net price of $14,932 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $18,824 per year. Higher-income families pay approximately $29,389 annually, reflecting the college's commitment to need-based financial aid that makes private education more accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Debt levels at Saint Scholastica are manageable relative to the strong earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is $20,000, well below national averages for private colleges, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages $15,000 for families who choose this option. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates consistently manage their debt obligations successfully after graduation.
What makes the affordability picture particularly strong is the relationship between borrowing and earning capacity. With median graduate earnings of $65,934, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building financial stability. The loan repayment rate of 81.5% demonstrates that the vast majority of borrowers are successfully paying down their balances, with many achieving faster payoff rates than national benchmarks.
The College Of Saint Scholastica Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
