Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Saint Augustine's University #1394 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,932 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 16.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Saint Augustine's University #1144 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. Saint Augustine's University's composite ranking reflects its ability to move students through degree completion at scale. The institution serves a substantial share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students at North Carolina private-tuition pricing.
Azimuth ranks Saint Augustine's University #1394 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Raleigh, NC, Saint Augustine's University enrolls roughly 172 undergraduates. Retention is 0.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 25.0%, reflecting the institution's commitment to student completion. Saint Augustine's University draws strength from its access profile and mobility outcomes. 50.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 34.5% are first-generation college students, positioning the university as a meaningful access point for students from under-resourced backgrounds. Azimuth ranks Saint Augustine's University #1426 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,932 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Saint Augustine's University in the 16.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Parks & Recreation, a field that aligns with stable, accessible career pathways. As a smaller private institution, Saint Augustine's University offers the personalized attention and community engagement typical of master's universities while maintaining outcomes that reflect meaningful long-term financial returns for its graduates. Affordability sits in the 22.8 percentile and access in the 66.2 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, underscoring the university's positioning as an affordable option for students seeking both access and upward mobility.
Saint Augustine's University's published cost of attendance is $33,179. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $27,815, middle-income families pay around $23,499, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,944. Azimuth ranks Saint Augustine's University #1101 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. Saint Augustine's participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. The difference between published cost of attendance and actual net price — driven by financial aid — can be substantial, particularly for low-income students. Families should review the institution's net price calculator to estimate their specific aid package based on household circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $29,669, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $41,272, median federal debt of $29,669 projects to a monthly payment of about $335 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Saint Augustine's University is a strong fit for students interested in Parks & Recreation and related fields who want a small private university experience in NC. The university's intimate scale and focused program mix create a distinctive learning environment. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $41,272, placing Saint Augustine's University in the 1.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,932 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 16.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 50.5% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 34.5% identifying as first-generation. This access-focused mission is reflected in the institution's 33.8% admission rate, which provides broad opportunities for qualified applicants. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix leans heavily toward Parks & Recreation (representing 4% of graduates), and the small size means fewer program options than larger universities. Students whose interests align with these focus areas will find a supportive environment with clear pathways to degree completion.
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 Saint Augustine's 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.
Saint Augustine's University's published cost of attendance is $33,179. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $27,815, middle-income families pay around $23,499, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,944.
Azimuth ranks Saint Augustine's University #1101 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.
Saint Augustine's participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. The difference between published cost of attendance and actual net price — driven by financial aid — can be substantial, particularly for low-income students.
Families should review the institution's [net price calculator](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) to estimate their specific aid package based on household circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $29,669, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $41,272, median federal debt of $29,669 projects to a monthly payment of about $335 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 Saint Augustine's University earn median 4-year earnings of $41,272, placing Saint Augustine's University in the 1.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Saint Augustine's University sits in the 16.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Saint Augustine's University #1426 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Parks & Recreation, which shapes the earnings profile across the graduate cohort.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 22 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $38,086, representing 0.7x the national benchmark for the field. Other substantial programs include Criminal Justice with 12 graduates, Psychology, General with 8 graduates, and Artificial Intelligence with 7 graduates.
This concentration in Parks & Recreation reflects the institution's academic focus and contributes to the overall earnings trajectory for Saint Augustine's graduates entering the labor market.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chowan University Higher acceptance rate (13.6 percentage points higher) and located 96 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NC | 72% | $38,412 | Compare |
Fayetteville State University Higher acceptance rate (21.2 percentage points higher) and located 51 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NC | 80% | $40,144 | Compare |
Le Moyne-Owen College Higher acceptance rate (38.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | TN | 97% | $35,594 | Compare |
Stillman College Higher acceptance rate (15.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | AL | 74% | $35,421 | Compare |
Bennett College Same state (68 miles away) with nearly identical earnings; same institution type | NC | 34% | $36,654 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finger Lakes Health College Of Nursing & Health Sciences Similar quality tier (#36204 ranked) | NY | 100% | $40,054 | #36204 | Compare |
Calvary University Similar quality tier (#36176 ranked) | MO | 72% | $45,421 | #36176 | Compare |
Edp University Of Puerto Rico-Manati Similar quality tier (#36209 ranked) | PR | 68% | $22,844 | #36209 | Compare |
Defiance College Similar quality tier (#36210 ranked) | OH | 48% | $49,351 | #36210 | Compare |
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design Similar quality tier (#36173 ranked) | PA | 99% | $33,301 | #36173 | Compare |
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
22 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
12 graduates
Psychology, General
8 graduates
Saint Augustine's University's program mix centers on Parks & Recreation — a distinctive focus among private nonprofit institutions. The largest programs by enrollment are Kinesiology with 22 graduates, followed by Criminal Justice, Psychology, General, Artificial Intelligence, and Biology, General.
Across 5 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, reflecting a focused academic portfolio anchored in applied professional and service-oriented fields. The institution's highest-aggregate-return program is Kinesiology, which combines meaningful enrollment scale with solid earnings outcomes.
Kinesiology leads the earnings profile, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $38,086 — the strongest outcome among ranked programs at Saint Augustine's University. The concentration in Parks & Recreation reflects the university's identity as a teaching-focused institution serving students oriented toward community-engaged and applied-professional pathways rather than research-intensive or quantitative fields.
Several of Saint Augustine's University's ranked programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes in fields like business, education, and human services. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand in service and professional sectors.