Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Pfeiffer University #982 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Pfeiffer University sits in the 79.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Pfeiffer University #1289 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — the institution's strongest pillar.
Azimuth ranks Pfeiffer University #982 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Misenheimer, North Carolina, Pfeiffer University enrolls roughly 655 undergraduates. Retention stands at 72.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 35.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a residential liberal arts–focused institution. Pfeiffer University draws strength from its return on investment pillar. Azimuth ranks Pfeiffer University #765 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,619, and Pfeiffer University earn about $6,262 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 79.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's focus on Business and career-oriented programming that connects students to employment outcomes. Access and affordability represent areas where Pfeiffer University sits lower in the composite. Pfeiffer University sits in the 39.6 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 50.8% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 33.3% identifying as first-generation college students. Affordability sits in the 51.9 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the tuition structure of a private institution offset by institutional aid. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 12.8 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Pfeiffer University's published cost of attendance is $45,542. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,167, middle-income families pay around $16,941, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,513. Azimuth ranks Pfeiffer University #686 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. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,163, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,277; 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 Pfeiffer University's median four-year earnings of $57,619, median federal debt of $26,163 projects to a monthly payment of about $296 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Pfeiffer University is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a small private university experience in NC. The university's program mix is concentrated in Business, representing 18% of graduates, making it particularly well-suited for students pursuing careers in these areas. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,619, placing Pfeiffer University in the 32.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $6,262 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 79.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 50.8% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 33.3% being first-generation students. This combination of access and outcomes makes Pfeiffer University a compelling option for students from various backgrounds seeking a focused educational experience. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 96.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business-oriented fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to NC's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928.
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
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This is the Pfeiffer 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.
Pfeiffer University's published cost of attendance is $45,542. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,167, middle-income families pay around $16,941, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,513.
Azimuth ranks Pfeiffer University #686 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.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,163, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,277; 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 Pfeiffer University's median four-year earnings of $57,619, median federal debt of $26,163 projects to a monthly payment of about $296 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/).
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clarke University Similar quality tier (#28200 ranked) | IA | 72% | $55,396 | #28200 | Compare |
Alverno College Similar quality tier (#28204 ranked) | WI | 86% | $53,145 | #28204 | Compare |
Morningside University Similar quality tier (#28197 ranked) | IA | 71% | $55,494 | #28197 | Compare |
University Of Evansville Similar quality tier (#28195 ranked) | IN | 78% | $53,770 | #28195 | Compare |
Reed College Similar quality tier (#28194 ranked) | OR | 25% | $62,927 | #28194 | Compare |
Graduates of Pfeiffer University earn median 4-year earnings of $57,619, placing Pfeiffer University in the 32.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,262 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pfeiffer University in the 79.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Pfeiffer University #765 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Pfeiffer University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 30 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $46,322, performing at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 28 students with median 4-year earnings of $60,936, while Criminal Justice and Nursing round out the top programs with 15 and 13 graduates respectively.
These outcomes align with Pfeiffer University's dominant program family of Business, which anchors the institution's long-term financial returns.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
13 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
28 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
15 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
30 graduates
Pfeiffer University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a career-focused private university in North Carolina. Kinesiology is the largest program with 30 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other, and Nursing.
The Business family represents 18% of degrees, making it the institution's primary focus, with Education and Arts providing additional breadth across 11 total programs. Among the 0 programs that meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $75,033 four years after enrollment across 13 graduates, followed by Business Administration with $60,936 and 15 graduates. Criminal Justice graduates earn $50,798, and Kinesiology delivers $46,322 for 30 graduates.
These outcomes reflect the institution's concentration in applied professional fields where employers recruit directly and career pathways are clearly defined. The earnings pattern across Pfeiffer University's portfolio shows consistent outcomes in business, accounting, and management-oriented programs — fields where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect regional and national labor-market demand.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with employment trends in North Carolina and surrounding regions.
