Saint Augustine's University provides crucial educational access for first-generation and Pell-eligible students who might not otherwise attend college, serving as an important pathway into higher education.
The institution offers a supportive community environment with consistent pricing, though families should carefully weigh access benefits against below-average long-term financial outcomes.
Saint Augustine's University is a small private nonprofit institution in Raleigh, North Carolina, that serves a predominantly first-generation and Pell-eligible student population. More than half of students receive Pell Grants, and about 35% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's mission to provide access to higher education for underserved communities. As a historically Black university, Saint Augustine's offers a supportive environment focused on student development and community building.
However, the financial outcomes present significant challenges. Graduates earn a median of $35,730 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the bottom percentile nationally for long-term earnings. The university falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility quadrant, indicating strong access but weaker outcomes for the students it serves. Six-year graduation rates of 33% are well below national averages, though the university continues to serve students who might not otherwise have access to higher education.
For families considering Saint Augustine's, the decision involves weighing the value of access, community, and cultural identity against financial outcomes that lag significantly behind national benchmarks. The university's role as a pathway to higher education for underrepresented students remains important, but prospective families should carefully consider long-term financial implications and explore strategies to maximize career outcomes after graduation.
Saint Augustine's University operates with a limited program portfolio that centers primarily on business administration and related fields. Business Administration and Management represents the institution's largest and highest-return program, graduating about 20 students annually with median early-career earnings of $32,711. While this represents the strongest financial outcome among the university's offerings, these earnings remain well below national averages for business graduates and reflect the broader challenges facing the institution's alumni in the job market.
The concentration in business-related programs provides some focus but also limits diversification opportunities for students. With only one program generating sufficient graduate volume for detailed earnings analysis, students have fewer options to explore alternative career paths that might offer stronger financial outcomes. The small scale of individual programs also means limited networking opportunities and reduced employer recruitment compared to larger institutions with more comprehensive program portfolios.
Prospective students interested in fields beyond business administration may find limited options at Saint Augustine's, potentially requiring them to pursue less optimal majors or consider transfer to institutions with broader program offerings. The university's program mix reflects its size and resources but may not provide the academic diversity needed to serve all student interests or optimize career outcomes across different fields of study.
Saint Augustine's University graduates face significant financial challenges in the job market. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $35,730, placing the institution in the bottom 1.1 percentile nationally for long-term earnings. This represents earnings that are approximately $4,476 below what would be expected for similar students at other institutions, indicating that graduates are not achieving the financial outcomes typically associated with a college degree.
The university's limited program portfolio centers primarily around business administration, which graduates about 20 students annually with median earnings of $32,711 two years after graduation. While business administration represents the highest aggregate return program at the institution, these early-career earnings remain well below national averages for business graduates. The small scale of individual programs limits networking opportunities and employer recruitment compared to larger institutions.
Only 23 graduates across all programs earn more than $75,000 ten years out, highlighting the concentration of outcomes in lower-earning ranges. The university's position in North Carolina provides access to growing metropolitan areas like Raleigh-Durham, but graduates appear to struggle translating their degrees into competitive salaries. Families should carefully consider whether the cultural and community benefits of attending Saint Augustine's offset the substantial earnings disadvantage compared to other higher education options.
Saint Augustine's University offers relatively consistent pricing across income levels, with low-income students paying about $17,346 annually and middle-income families seeing costs around $17,866. High-income families pay approximately $20,861, representing a modest increase that keeps the institution accessible across economic backgrounds. These net prices place the university around the 40th percentile nationally for affordability, indicating average pricing relative to similar institutions.
However, debt levels present serious concerns given the earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with $29,669 in federal student loan debt, while families using Parent PLUS loans borrow an additional $15,252 on average. When combined with median earnings of $35,730, these debt levels create challenging repayment scenarios that may strain graduates' budgets for years after college.
The university reports a 0% federal loan default rate, but this figure should be interpreted cautiously given the broader context of earnings and debt levels. Many graduates may be utilizing income-driven repayment plans or deferment options that prevent technical default while still struggling with loan burdens. The combination of below-average earnings and substantial debt creates a financial profile that requires careful family planning and realistic expectations about post-graduation financial capacity.
Saint Augustine's University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
