Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Niagara University #808 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,559 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Niagara University in the 64.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Niagara University #999 for access among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for Pell-eligible and first-generation students. --- Niagara University's composite ranking reflects balanced strengths across access and return on investment. The institution serves a diverse student population while delivering earnings outcomes that outperform expectations for similar students.
Azimuth ranks Niagara University #808 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Niagara Falls, NY, Niagara University enrolls roughly 2,653 undergraduates. Retention is 80.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 74.5%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Niagara University delivers consistent outcomes across its academic portfolio, anchored in education and the liberal arts. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,652, and earn about $1,559 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Niagara University in the 64.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Niagara University #589 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability anchor the institution's value proposition. 27.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.2% are first-generation college students, reflecting Niagara University's commitment to serving students from a range of economic backgrounds. The combination of accessible pricing, need-based aid, and strong graduation rates makes Niagara University a practical choice for families seeking a private education with predictable financial outcomes and clear pathways to degree completion.
Niagara University's published cost of attendance is $51,632. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $9,564, middle-income families pay around $17,322, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,990. Azimuth ranks Niagara University #625 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Niagara University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The university's aid structure combines need-based and merit components, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile where applicable. Work-study is available as part of aid packages for eligible students. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the spread varies by income band. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,475, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $25,200; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,652, median federal debt of $25,475 projects to a monthly payment of about $288 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Niagara University is a strong fit for students interested in Education and related fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in NY. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,652, placing Niagara University in the 71.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $1,559 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 64.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 27.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.2% are first-generation. These figures track NY's regional labor market and represent meaningful returns relative to the state's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,204. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 87.4% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Education and related fields. Students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Niagara University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Niagara University's published cost of attendance is $51,632. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $9,564, middle-income families pay around $17,322, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,990.
Azimuth ranks Niagara University #625 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Niagara University participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The university's aid structure combines need-based and merit components, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile where applicable.
Work-study is available as part of aid packages for eligible students. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the spread varies by income band.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,475, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $25,200; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,652, median federal debt of $25,475 projects to a monthly payment of about $288 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Niagara University earn median 4-year earnings of $67,652, placing Niagara University in the 71.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,559 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Niagara University in the 64.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Niagara University #589 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Niagara University's concentration in education and human-services fields.
Education, General is the largest program with 137 graduates, anchoring the institution's degree output in a field with stable, in-demand career pathways. The Nursing program graduates 88 students earning median 4-year earnings of $97,834, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field.
Criminology produces 61 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $60,995, at 1.1x benchmark, while Business Administration and Biology, General round out the program portfolio with solid early-career earnings trajectories aligned to their respective labor markets.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
88 graduates
Marketing
27 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
22 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
40 graduates
Criminology
61 graduates
Niagara University's program mix is anchored in education, business, and health-related fields—a portfolio reflecting the institution's Catholic liberal arts identity and regional workforce needs. Education, General is the largest program with 137 graduates annually, followed by Nursing with 88 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $97,834, Criminology with 61 graduates earning $60,995, Business Administration with 40 graduates earning $65,154, and Biology, General with 36 graduates.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 704 students annually, several deliver solid earnings outcomes aligned with regional employer demand. The strongest earnings emerge from applied professional fields.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $97,834 with 88 graduates, while Digital Marketing with 27 graduates reaches $73,611, Business Administration with 40 graduates earns $65,154, and Criminology with 61 graduates achieves $60,995. These programs reflect Niagara University's strength in preparing graduates for stable, in-demand roles in professional and service sectors.
The program portfolio balances education-focused pathways—where Education represents a substantial share of degrees—with business and health sciences that offer direct-to-workforce outcomes. Several of the education-related programs are grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory because graduates often pursue advanced credentials.
Business and health-science programs, by contrast, are high-mobility direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter regional and national labor markets immediately. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with labor-market demand in the Northeast and beyond.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nebraska Wesleyan University Similar quality tier (#22596 ranked) | NE | 80% | $56,405 | #22596 | Compare |
Alvernia University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#22598 ranked) | PA | 58% | $55,055 | #22598 | Compare |
Le Moyne College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#22606 ranked) | NY | 83% | $62,731 | #22606 | Compare |
The University Of The South Similar quality tier (#22610 ranked) | TN | 57% | $64,911 | #22610 | Compare |
Lindenwood University Similar quality tier (#22579 ranked) | MO | 57% | $53,278 | #22579 | Compare |
