Students at Xavier University achieve earnings outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally for return on investment.
The university's focus on professional preparation and strong alumni networks translates into consistently strong career outcomes across key programs.
Xavier University ranks among the top private institutions nationally for long-term earnings outcomes, placing in the 86th percentile for return on investment. This medium-sized Catholic university in Cincinnati combines the personalized attention of a smaller institution with the career preparation typically found at much larger universities. With strong programs in nursing, business, and computer science, Xavier consistently delivers graduates who earn well above national averages ten years after enrollment.
The university serves a selective student population, with only 14% of students receiving Pell Grants and 16% being first-generation college students. This selectivity contributes to strong graduation rates, with 71% of students completing their degrees within six years and 76% within eight years. Xavier's approach focuses on preparing students for professional careers, particularly in healthcare, business, and technology sectors.
As a private nonprofit institution, Xavier offers the benefits of smaller class sizes, close faculty relationships, and extensive alumni networks. The university's location in Cincinnati provides access to internships and job opportunities in a major metropolitan area, while its Catholic mission emphasizes service and ethical leadership. For families seeking a private university experience with proven career outcomes, Xavier represents a compelling option that consistently delivers strong return on investment.
Xavier University's program portfolio centers on professional preparation, with nursing serving as the cornerstone program that combines high enrollment with strong earnings outcomes. The Adult Health Nursing program graduates 312 students annually with median earnings of $57,115, representing the university's highest aggregate return and demonstrating Xavier's strength in healthcare education.
Computer Science, while smaller with 27 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at $66,077, reflecting strong demand for technology skills in Cincinnati's growing tech sector. Digital Marketing represents one of Xavier's most popular business programs, graduating 87 students with median earnings of $48,725, showing the university's adaptation to modern marketing needs.
The university's program mix reflects its mission of professional preparation, with strong emphasis on fields that lead directly to stable careers. Biology, though showing lower initial earnings at $27,822, often serves as preparation for graduate school in medicine or other health professions. Xavier's focus on practical, career-oriented education across these programs helps explain the university's consistently strong return on investment and graduate success rates.
Xavier University graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that place the institution in the top 15% nationally for return on investment. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $64,873, significantly above the national average for similar institutions. The university's focus on professional preparation shows in these outcomes, with graduates consistently finding well-paying positions in their chosen fields.
The strongest financial returns come from Xavier's nursing program, which graduates 312 students annually with median earnings of $57,115 ten years out. This program represents the university's highest aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment with solid earnings. Computer Science, though smaller with 27 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at $66,077. Digital Marketing, one of the most popular programs with 87 graduates, produces median earnings of $48,725, while Biology graduates start at more modest levels around $27,822 but often continue to graduate school.
Xavier's career-focused approach and strong alumni networks in Cincinnati and beyond help explain these solid earnings outcomes. The university's emphasis on internships, professional development, and industry connections creates pathways to stable, well-compensated careers. Graduates benefit from the university's reputation in healthcare, business, and technology sectors, where Xavier has built strong employer relationships over decades of consistent graduate quality.
Xavier University's affordability profile reflects its position as a private institution, with net prices that vary significantly by family income level. Low-income families pay approximately $28,499 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $31,527, and high-income families pay about $34,548. These prices place Xavier in the 11th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning costs are higher than at most comparable institutions.
The university's financial aid approach focuses on merit-based assistance rather than need-based aid, which explains the relatively modest variation in net price across income bands. While the sticker price is substantial, Xavier's aid packages help reduce costs for most families, though not to the levels seen at institutions with larger endowments or more aggressive need-based aid policies.
Despite higher upfront costs, Xavier's strong earnings outcomes help justify the investment for many families. The combination of solid career preparation, alumni networks, and consistent graduate success creates long-term value that can offset the higher initial expense. Families considering Xavier should weigh the premium private university costs against the institution's track record of graduate success and career placement.
Xavier University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
