Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Canisius University #1010 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,476, placing Canisius University in the 44.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Canisius University sits in the 22.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Canisius University #1010 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Buffalo, NY, Canisius University enrolls roughly 1,685 undergraduates. Retention is 72.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 66.4%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional master's institution. Where Canisius University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Canisius University #1141 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,476, and they earn about $9,168 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Canisius University in the 22.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program mix is anchored in Business, which aligns with strong early-career earnings outcomes across the student body. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Canisius University sits in the 34.2 percentile for access and the 58.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 32.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 23.1% are first-generation college students, reflecting a moderately diverse enrollment base. As a private master's institution, Canisius University carries a higher sticker price than public regional universities, though need-based aid reshapes that cost for families that qualify. Mobility outcomes sit in the 47.7 percentile, indicating that graduates move into stable careers at rates comparable to peer institutions.
Published cost of attendance is $44,322. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $12,781, middle-income families pay around $16,151, higher-income families pay approximately $24,170. Azimuth ranks Canisius University #597 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 58.1 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,250; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,720. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,476, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $274 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Canisius University is a strong fit for students drawn to business and related applied fields who want a private university experience in Buffalo, NY. The institution's program mix leans heavily toward business, which represents 18% of degrees. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $59,476, placing Canisius University in the 44.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $9,168 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 22.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is need-based. For admitted Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 32.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 23.1% are first-generation — that structure can meaningfully close the gap between the $24,170 published cost and what families actually pay. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 72.4% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business and applied fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a strong earnings trajectory and aid package.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Canisius University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baker College Similar quality tier (#29381 ranked) | MI | 82% | $35,833 | #29381 | Compare |
Austin College Similar quality tier (#29370 ranked) | TX | 48% | $61,296 | #29370 | Compare |
Stonehill College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#29384 ranked) | MA | 66% | $77,745 | #29384 | Compare |
Southwest Baptist University Similar quality tier (#29385 ranked) | MO | 68% | $43,112 | #29385 | Compare |
Capital University Similar quality tier (#29368 ranked) | OH | 70% | $54,143 | #29368 | Compare |
Accounting and Related Services
20 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
37 graduates
Marketing
17 graduates
Economics
21 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
13 graduates
Canisius University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a Jesuit liberal-arts university with applied-career focus. Kinesiology is the largest program with 77 graduates, followed by Biology, General, Zoology/Animal Biology, Research Psychology, and Finance.
Across 25 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with Business representing the dominant concentration. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied business and professional pathways.
Accounting leads with median earnings of $82,563 four years after enrollment across 20 graduates, followed by Finance at $70,001 with 37 graduates and Economics at $65,757. Political Science and Criminal Justice round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $62,398 and $60,674 respectively.
The concentration of earnings strength in business-adjacent and professional fields aligns with Canisius University's program portfolio and regional employer demand in the Buffalo market. Most of Canisius University's dominant programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly in accounting, finance, management, and related professional roles.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional and national labor-market trends. For students prioritizing early-career earnings and professional-credential pathways, Canisius University's program concentration offers clarity and direct workforce alignment.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Published cost of attendance is $44,322. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $12,781, middle-income families pay around $16,151, higher-income families pay approximately $24,170.
Azimuth ranks Canisius University #597 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 58.1 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,250; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,720.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,476, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $274 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of Canisius University earn median 4-year earnings of $59,476, placing Canisius University in the 44.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,168 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Canisius University in the 22.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Canisius University #1141 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Canisius University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 77 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $57,036, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 43 students earning $48,104, while Zoology/Animal Biology and Research Psychology round out the major enrollment clusters with 4-year earnings of $40,174 and $51,532 respectively.
These programs anchor Canisius University's career-focused identity and contribute to the institution's above-average outcomes for graduates entering professional and managerial roles.
