Students at Loyola Marymount University achieve exceptional earnings outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally, particularly for low-income graduates who earn far more than similar students elsewhere.
The university's combination of strong overall earnings and outstanding low-income student success demonstrates its effectiveness at converting educational investment into meaningful career advantages.
Loyola Marymount University delivers exceptional long-term financial outcomes that place it among the top-performing private universities nationwide. Located in Los Angeles, this medium-sized Catholic institution combines selective admissions with outstanding career preparation, resulting in graduates who earn a median of $78,349 ten years after enrollment—performance that ranks in the 93rd percentile nationally. While LMU serves a more affluent student population, with only 13% receiving Pell Grants, the university excels at converting that selectivity into meaningful career advantages.
What distinguishes LMU is its ability to deliver premium outcomes across diverse fields of study. The university's location in Los Angeles provides exceptional access to entertainment, technology, and business industries, while its strong alumni network opens doors that translate into sustained earning power. Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized attention, and career services that consistently place graduates in competitive positions.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, LMU represents the premium end of higher education—limited access but exceptional results for those who enroll. The university's 80% six-year graduation rate and strong loan repayment performance demonstrate its commitment to student success, making it an excellent choice for families who can manage the higher upfront costs in exchange for superior long-term returns.
Loyola Marymount University's program portfolio reflects its strength in professional and business-oriented fields that align well with Los Angeles's dynamic economy. Digital Marketing emerges as the standout program, combining substantial enrollment of 154 graduates with solid median earnings of $50,802, making it the university's highest aggregate return major. This program exemplifies LMU's ability to blend traditional liberal arts education with practical, market-relevant skills that employers value.
The university shows particular strength in emerging technology fields, with Artificial Intelligence representing the highest-earning program at $72,796 median earnings, though with smaller enrollment of 27 graduates. Psychology remains LMU's largest program with 131 graduates, reflecting the university's liberal arts foundation, though earnings are more modest at $28,327 in early career years. Biology, while important for pre-professional preparation, shows the lowest immediate returns at $16,015, likely reflecting the need for additional graduate education.
LMU's program mix demonstrates the university's strategic positioning between traditional liberal arts education and professional preparation. The strong performance in business and technology fields, combined with the advantages of Los Angeles location and alumni networks, helps explain why graduates achieve such strong long-term financial outcomes across diverse career paths.
Loyola Marymount University graduates achieve exceptional long-term financial outcomes that consistently outperform national averages. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $78,349, placing the university in the 93rd percentile nationally for earnings performance. This strong showing reflects both the quality of LMU's academic programs and the advantages of its Los Angeles location, where graduates gain access to high-paying industries including entertainment, technology, finance, and professional services.
The university's program mix drives much of this success, with particular strength in business and technology fields. Digital Marketing stands out as LMU's highest aggregate return program, combining strong enrollment of 154 graduates with solid median earnings of $50,802. Artificial Intelligence represents the university's highest-earning major, with 27 graduates achieving median earnings of $72,796 early in their careers. Psychology remains the largest program with 131 graduates, though earnings are more modest at $28,327, while Biology shows the lowest early-career returns at $16,015.
LMU's Los Angeles location provides graduates with access to one of the nation's most dynamic job markets, where cost of living is high but career opportunities are abundant. The university's strong alumni network and career services help students navigate this competitive landscape, contributing to loan repayment rates that exceed 87% and demonstrating the practical value of an LMU education for long-term financial success.
Loyola Marymount University represents a significant financial investment, with net prices that reflect its position as a selective private institution. Low-income students face annual costs of approximately $30,208, while middle-income families pay around $32,869, and high-income families see net prices reaching $53,926. These figures place LMU in the 2nd percentile nationally for affordability, indicating that the university is among the most expensive options for families across all income levels.
The university's high sticker price means that most families rely heavily on borrowing to finance their education. Federal student loan debt averages $19,500 per graduate, which is manageable relative to the strong earnings outcomes, but Parent PLUS borrowing averages $48,000—a substantial commitment that requires careful family financial planning. The combination of high net prices and significant parent borrowing reflects LMU's positioning as a premium educational option.
Despite the high upfront costs, LMU's financial model proves sustainable for most families who choose to invest. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, and graduates demonstrate strong repayment capacity with 87% successfully managing their loan obligations. For families who can handle the initial financial commitment, LMU's combination of strong earnings outcomes and excellent career preparation helps justify the premium pricing structure.
Loyola Marymount University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
