Students at Molloy College achieve some of the strongest financial outcomes in higher education, earning far more than similar students at other institutions nationwide.
This exceptional earnings advantage, combined with top-tier performance for low-income students, makes Molloy one of the most financially rewarding college experiences available.
Molloy College delivers some of the strongest financial outcomes among private colleges nationwide, with graduates earning significantly more than expected compared with similar institutions. Located in Rockville Centre, New York, this medium-sized private nonprofit college has built a reputation for turning focused academic programs into exceptional career results. Nearly 30% of students receive Pell Grants and about 35% are first-generation college students, yet graduates consistently achieve earnings that place the institution in the top 5% nationally for long-term financial returns.
What makes Molloy particularly compelling is its ability to deliver premium outcomes without the selectivity or price premium of many elite private colleges. Graduates earn a median of $77,789 ten years after enrollment, with the institution's value-added earnings advantage of nearly $21,000 representing one of the strongest earnings premiums in the country. This performance reflects Molloy's concentrated focus on high-return professional programs, particularly nursing, which dominates the institution's academic portfolio and drives much of its exceptional employment outcomes.
As a private college that combines accessibility with elite-level career results, Molloy represents a distinctive value proposition in New York's competitive higher education landscape. The college successfully balances moderate access for middle-income families with the kind of long-term financial outcomes typically associated with much more expensive or selective institutions.
Molloy College's program portfolio centers on practical, high-return professional fields that translate directly into strong career outcomes. Adult Health Nursing dominates the academic landscape, graduating 402 students annually with exceptional median earnings of $90,956 — a combination of scale and strong pay that makes it the institution's primary economic engine. This program alone demonstrates Molloy's ability to prepare large numbers of students for high-demand healthcare roles with immediate earning potential.
Education programs, while showing more modest early-career earnings around $35,416, provide stable pathways into essential public service roles with strong job security and benefits. The college's focus on special education, particularly for developmentally delayed individuals, reflects its commitment to preparing graduates for specialized, meaningful work in high-need areas of education.
Business and accounting programs round out Molloy's core offerings, with accounting graduates earning around $63,600 in early career positions. The college's concentrated program mix — heavily weighted toward nursing, education, and business — creates focused expertise and strong employer relationships that benefit all students. This strategic approach to program development helps explain why Molloy graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations across fields, with the institution's specialized focus translating into exceptional career preparation and industry connections.
Graduates of Molloy College achieve exceptional long-term financial outcomes that rank among the best in the nation. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $77,789, placing the college in the 96th percentile nationally for earnings performance. Even more impressive is Molloy's value-added earnings advantage of nearly $21,000 — meaning graduates earn about $21,000 more annually than similar students at other institutions, reflecting one of the strongest earnings premiums we track among private colleges.
Much of this exceptional performance stems from Molloy's concentrated focus on high-return professional programs. Adult Health Nursing stands out as the institution's economic engine, graduating 402 students annually with median earnings of $90,956 — a combination of scale and strong pay that generates substantial aggregate returns. Education programs, while showing more modest early-career earnings around $35,416, provide stable career pathways in high-demand fields. Business and accounting programs also contribute meaningfully, with accounting graduates earning around $63,600 in early career positions.
The college's location in New York, where cost of living runs above national averages, means these strong earnings are particularly valuable for graduates who remain in the region. Molloy's focused program portfolio and strong employer relationships in healthcare, education, and business sectors help explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations by such wide margins, making it one of the most financially rewarding private college experiences available.
Affordability at Molloy College presents a mixed picture that reflects its status as a private institution delivering premium outcomes. Low-income students pay about $20,330 annually after aid, which sits in the bottom quartile nationally for net price performance, while middle-income families face costs around $26,115 per year. High-income families pay approximately $32,545, representing the full private college premium but still reasonable compared with many elite private institutions offering similar career outcomes.
Debt levels require careful consideration, though they remain manageable given Molloy's exceptional earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with about $27,000 in federal student loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $31,498. The institution's remarkably low default rate of just 0.2% suggests that most graduates successfully manage their debt obligations, likely reflecting both the strong earnings outcomes and the practical, career-focused nature of Molloy's academic programs.
What makes these debt levels sustainable is the college's exceptional return on investment. With graduates earning nearly $78,000 ten years out and showing earnings advantages of $21,000 compared with peers, most borrowers can comfortably handle standard repayment schedules. The combination of strong earnings and focused professional programs means that while Molloy requires a higher upfront investment than public alternatives, it delivers financial returns that justify the cost for most families.
Molloy University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
