Students at Felician University earn significantly more than similar students at other institutions, with graduates typically seeing an earnings advantage of nearly $12,000 compared to peers nationwide.
This strong financial outcome, combined with exceptional access for first-generation and Pell-eligible students, demonstrates the university's effectiveness as an economic mobility engine.
Felician University is a small private nonprofit institution in Lodi, New Jersey, that combines strong access with solid long-term outcomes for its graduates. The university serves a diverse student body, with over half receiving Pell Grants and nearly 50% being first-generation college students, yet still delivers earnings that place it in the top 25% nationally for graduate financial outcomes.
What makes Felician distinctive is its ability to help students earn significantly more than expected—graduates typically earn about $11,935 more than similar students at other institutions ten years after enrollment. This earnings advantage, combined with the university's designation as a "Mobility Engine," reflects its success in converting broad access into meaningful economic progress for students from all backgrounds.
As a small private university, Felician offers the personalized attention and close faculty relationships that many students value, while maintaining strong connections to New Jersey's healthcare and business sectors. The institution's nursing program stands out as particularly strong, producing graduates who earn well above the university average and contributing significantly to the school's overall return on investment profile.
Felician University's program portfolio centers on practical, career-focused fields that connect directly to stable employment opportunities. Nursing dominates both in scale and outcomes, with the Adult Health Nursing program graduating 112 students annually who earn a median of $83,546 ten years out. This program alone generates nearly $9.4 million in aggregate return, making it the economic engine of the university and reflecting strong demand for healthcare professionals in the New Jersey market.
Business Administration serves as the university's second-largest program, graduating 56 students with median earnings of $43,240. While these earnings are more modest than nursing, the program provides essential management and entrepreneurial skills that serve graduates well in diverse industries. The university also offers specialized programs like Corrections Administration, though with smaller enrollment numbers.
Felician's program mix reflects its mission as a practical, professionally-oriented institution. The concentration in nursing and business aligns with regional workforce needs and provides clear career pathways for students. As a small university, Felician can offer personalized attention within these programs, helping students build the professional networks and practical skills that contribute to the institution's strong track record of exceeding earnings expectations across its graduate base.
Felician University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that significantly exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $57,602, with the university's strongest advantage being that students typically earn about $11,935 more than similar students at other institutions. This earnings premium places Felician in the top 25% nationally for graduate financial outcomes, reflecting the institution's ability to add substantial value to students' career prospects.
The university's program mix drives much of this success, with nursing leading the way as both the highest-return and largest program. Adult Health Nursing graduates 112 students annually and produces median earnings of $83,546 ten years out, creating substantial aggregate value for the institution. Business Administration, the second-largest program with 56 graduates, shows more moderate earnings at $43,240 but remains an important pathway for students seeking management and entrepreneurial opportunities.
While program-level outcomes vary, Felician's overall strength lies in consistently helping students across majors achieve higher-than-expected earnings. The university's small size allows for personalized career guidance and strong industry connections, particularly in New Jersey's healthcare sector, which helps explain why graduates outperform their peers at similar institutions by such a meaningful margin.
Affordability represents Felician University's greatest challenge, as is typical for small private institutions. Net prices are substantial across all income levels: low-income students pay about $41,128 annually, middle-income families face costs around $42,782, and even high-income families pay $38,690 per year. These figures place Felician in the bottom 5% nationally for affordability, reflecting the reality that private education comes with significantly higher upfront costs than public alternatives.
Despite high sticker prices, the university does provide meaningful financial aid that helps reduce costs from the full tuition rate. The relatively consistent net prices across income bands suggest that Felician adjusts aid packages to maintain accessibility for students from different economic backgrounds, though families at all income levels should expect substantial annual expenses.
What helps offset these high costs is the university's strong track record of helping students manage debt successfully. With a 0% federal loan default rate and solid loan repayment patterns, Felician graduates demonstrate the ability to service their educational investments effectively. The combination of higher-than-expected earnings and responsible borrowing behavior suggests that while the upfront investment is significant, most students can handle the financial obligations that come with their Felician education.
Felician University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
