Students at Adelphi University earn substantially more than similar students at other institutions, with graduates achieving some of the strongest financial outcomes among private universities nationwide.
The university consistently delivers earnings that exceed expectations, particularly benefiting students from low-income backgrounds who see exceptional career advancement.
Adelphi University delivers exceptionally strong financial outcomes for graduates, with median 10-year earnings of $75,482 that place the institution in the 89th percentile nationally. What makes Adelphi particularly compelling is how much better its graduates perform compared with similar students at other institutions—earning about $17,290 more than expected based on student characteristics and program mix. This earnings advantage reflects the university's focused approach to career preparation and strong employer connections in the New York metropolitan area.
As a medium-sized private university in Garden City, New York, Adelphi combines personalized attention with access to one of the nation's most dynamic job markets. The university serves a moderately selective student body, with about 29% of students receiving Pell Grants and 35% being first-generation college students. While net prices run higher than typical public options, the investment pays off through consistently strong career outcomes across multiple fields.
Adelphi's strength lies in translating educational quality into measurable financial results. Graduates not only earn well in absolute terms but significantly outperform expectations, making it a standout choice for students who want confidence that their degree investment will generate strong returns in competitive career markets.
Adelphi University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that lead directly to well-compensated careers. Nursing dominates both enrollment and outcomes, graduating 436 students annually with median earnings of $90,625—making it the university's clear economic flagship. This large, high-performing program reflects Adelphi's strategic focus on healthcare education and strong relationships with New York area medical institutions.
Beyond nursing, the university offers solid outcomes in business and finance fields. Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earn about $57,995 early in their careers, benefiting from proximity to New York's financial sector. Psychology, while the second-largest program with 102 graduates, shows more modest early earnings around $27,488, though many graduates likely pursue advanced degrees or enter fields where compensation grows over time.
Biology presents a more challenging early-career picture with graduates earning around $20,140, reflecting the reality that many science majors pursue graduate or professional school rather than entering the workforce immediately. The variation in outcomes across programs underscores the importance of program choice at Adelphi, where career-focused fields like nursing and business deliver the strongest immediate returns on the educational investment.
Adelphi University graduates achieve impressive long-term earnings that consistently exceed expectations. With median 10-year earnings of $75,482, graduates earn about $17,290 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide. This earnings advantage places Adelphi in the top tier of universities for financial outcomes, reflecting both the quality of academic programs and the university's strategic location in the New York metropolitan job market.
Nursing stands out as Adelphi's strongest program both in scale and outcomes, graduating 436 students with median earnings of $90,625 ten years after enrollment. This combination of high enrollment and exceptional pay makes nursing the university's primary economic engine. Psychology, the largest non-nursing program with 102 graduates, shows more modest early-career earnings around $27,488, while specialized business programs like Banking and Financial Support Services deliver strong outcomes with graduates earning about $57,995. Biology graduates face more challenging early-career prospects with median earnings around $20,140, though many likely pursue graduate education that isn't captured in these two-year post-graduation figures.
The university's location in the New York area provides graduates access to high-paying opportunities in healthcare, finance, and professional services. This geographic advantage, combined with Adelphi's focus on practical career preparation, helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations by such substantial margins across multiple program areas.
Affordability at Adelphi University requires careful financial planning, as net prices run significantly higher than typical public alternatives. Low-income students pay about $22,149 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $28,183 per year, and high-income families pay approximately $32,093. These price points place Adelphi in the bottom 20% nationally for affordability, reflecting the premium associated with private education in the expensive New York metropolitan area.
The university's financial aid approach focuses on making education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds, with nearly 30% of students receiving Pell Grants. However, families should expect to rely more heavily on loans and family contributions compared with public university options. The higher upfront investment reflects Adelphi's smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and prime location, but it requires families to weigh these benefits against the additional cost.
What helps justify the premium is Adelphi's track record of strong graduate earnings and career outcomes. The university's ability to deliver earnings that significantly exceed expectations provides confidence that the investment will generate meaningful returns, particularly for students in high-performing programs like nursing and business. Families should plan for higher education costs but can expect graduates to be well-positioned for financial success in competitive career markets.
Adelphi University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
