Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Saint Leo University #840 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,050 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Saint Leo University in the 53.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Saint Leo University #911 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Saint Leo University's composite ranking reflects a balance of access, affordability, and long-term financial outcomes. Graduates earn about $1,050 less than similar students at comparable institutions, supported by the institution's focus on career-aligned programs.
Azimuth ranks Saint Leo University #840 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private doctoral/professional university in Saint Leo, Florida, Saint Leo University enrolls roughly 6,721 undergraduates. Retention stands at 59.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 45.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Where Saint Leo University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Saint Leo University #911 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,050 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Saint Leo University in the 53.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant program family is Business, which aligns with strong labor-market demand and contributes to solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Saint Leo University sits in the 68.8 percentile for access and the 46.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private institution with a sticker price above many public alternatives, the net price after aid shapes affordability outcomes. Mobility sits in the 30.2 percentile, reflecting moderate outcomes for low-income students relative to comparable institutions. For families evaluating Saint Leo University, the return-on-investment strength offers meaningful financial payoff, though prospective students should weigh the higher upfront cost against the earnings trajectory and explore personalized affordability scenarios through Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Saint Leo University's published cost of attendance is $45,264. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $19,602, middle-income families pay around $19,823, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,780. Azimuth ranks Saint Leo University #766 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 Leo University's financial aid structure combines need-based aid, merit scholarships, and federal loan options. Families apply using the FAFSA to access federal aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans, PLUS loans) and institutional need-based aid. The university also participates in state grant programs where applicable. Understanding the gap between sticker price and net price — what families actually pay after aid — is essential when comparing affordability across institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,278, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,773; 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 $58,644, median federal debt of $25,278 projects to a monthly payment of about $286 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Saint Leo University is a good fit for students seeking a private university experience in FL with a focus on Business and related fields. Its program mix reflects this orientation, with Business representing 29% of graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,644, placing Saint Leo University in the 38.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $1,050 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 53.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 32.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 49.1% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates that support upward mobility. Published cost of attendance is $25,780, and median federal debt at graduation is $25,278. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 78.4% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with these areas and who can navigate the application process will find a strong foundation for post-graduation success.
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 Leo 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 Leo University's published cost of attendance is $45,264. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $19,602, middle-income families pay around $19,823, and higher-income families pay approximately $25,780.
Azimuth ranks Saint Leo University #766 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 Leo University's financial aid structure combines need-based aid, merit scholarships, and federal loan options. Families apply using the FAFSA to access federal aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans, PLUS loans) and institutional need-based aid.
The university also participates in state grant programs where applicable. Understanding the gap between sticker price and net price — what families actually pay after aid — is essential when comparing affordability across institutions.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,278, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,773; 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 $58,644, median federal debt of $25,278 projects to a monthly payment of about $286 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 Leo University earn median 4-year earnings of $58,644, placing Saint Leo University in the 38.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,050 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Saint Leo University in the 53.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Saint Leo University #911 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Saint Leo University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Criminal Justice is the largest program with 240 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $60,389, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 231 students with median 4-year earnings of $67,505, while Psychology, General and $48,786 round out the institution's core professional pipeline.
The concentration in Business — the institution's dominant program family — supports consistent early-career outcomes across the graduate cohort, with most programs delivering earnings aligned with or modestly above their respective field benchmarks.
Computer and Information Sciences, General
29 graduates
Computer Science
34 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
231 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
64 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
45 graduates
Saint Leo University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a career-focused private university. Criminal Justice is the largest program with 240 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Psychology, General, Teacher Education, and Accounting.
Across 26 total programs serving roughly 1,293 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and professional fields.
Computer Science leads with median earnings of $72,645 four years after enrollment across 34 graduates, followed by Business Administration with $67,505 and 64 graduates. Accounting graduates earn $66,056, while Human Resources Management and Services and Criminal Justice round out the highest-earning programs with $62,122 and $60,389 respectively.
These programs represent direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter professional roles immediately and earnings reflect labor-market outcomes in stable, in-demand fields. The concentration in Business — accounting for a substantial share of the institution's degree output — aligns with Saint Leo University's positioning as a professional and applied-learning-focused private university.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national labor-market demand and wage trends across the business and professional sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loyola Marymount University Similar quality tier (#24286 ranked) | CA | 45% | $78,349 | #24286 | Compare |
Xavier University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#23763 ranked) | LA | 69% | $52,184 | #23763 | Compare |
American University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#24295 ranked) | DC | 62% | $77,370 | #24295 | Compare |
Gonzaga University Similar quality tier (#23761 ranked) | WA | 82% | $78,892 | #23761 | Compare |
York College Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#24817 ranked) | PA | 74% | $61,012 | #24817 | Compare |
