Students at Saint Leo University achieve substantially higher earnings than similar students at other institutions, with graduates earning over $17,000 more than would be expected based on their backgrounds.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong access for first-generation students and successful debt management, makes Saint Leo a solid choice for students seeking upward mobility through higher education.
Saint Leo University is a medium-sized private nonprofit institution in Florida that emphasizes accessibility and student support. The university serves a diverse student body, with nearly 37% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 49% being first-generation college students, reflecting its commitment to opening doors for underrepresented populations. Saint Leo also welcomes a substantial number of transfer students, with roughly 24% of its student body transferring in from other institutions.
While Saint Leo's graduates earn a median of $48,364 ten years after enrollment, the institution's true strength lies in its value-added approach to education. Students earn significantly more than would be expected based on their backgrounds and the institution's profile, with graduates seeing an earnings boost of over $17,000 compared to similar students at other institutions. This substantial earnings advantage demonstrates the university's ability to help students exceed expectations and achieve meaningful career advancement.
As a private university in Florida's competitive higher education landscape, Saint Leo University combines the personal attention of a smaller institution with practical career preparation. The university's focus on fields like business administration, criminal justice, and emerging technology areas provides students with relevant skills for today's job market, while its supportive environment helps ensure that students from diverse backgrounds can succeed academically and professionally.
Saint Leo University's program portfolio reflects a practical approach to career preparation, with strong outcomes across its major fields of study. Business Administration dominates both in scale and total economic impact, graduating 406 students annually with solid median earnings of $44,728. This program serves as the university's economic engine, combining high enrollment with reliable career outcomes that support the institution's overall strong return on investment.
Criminal Justice represents another cornerstone program, graduating 328 students with median earnings of $41,601. This field aligns well with Florida's law enforcement and corrections job market, providing students with clear career pathways and stable employment prospects. For students seeking the highest individual earning potential, Artificial Intelligence emerges as the standout performer with graduates earning $55,770, though this newer program maintains smaller cohorts of about 60 students annually.
The university's program mix demonstrates both breadth and focus, serving students across different career interests while maintaining strong outcomes. Psychology, while showing more moderate earnings at $29,812, still graduates substantial numbers of students and provides important foundational preparation for graduate study or human services careers. This diversity allows Saint Leo to serve students with varying interests while ensuring that most programs lead to meaningful career advancement and the substantial earnings advantages that characterize the Saint Leo experience.
Saint Leo University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with a median income of $48,364 ten years after enrollment. What makes these earnings particularly impressive is that Saint Leo students earn substantially more than would be expected given their backgrounds and institutional profile. The university delivers an earnings advantage of over $17,000 compared to similar students at other institutions, representing one of the strongest "earnings beyond expectations" performances among private colleges. This significant boost reflects the institution's ability to help students translate their education into meaningful career advancement.
The university's program portfolio drives much of this success. Business Administration stands out as both the largest program with 406 graduates and the highest aggregate return generator, with graduates earning a median of $44,728 ten years out. Criminal Justice, the second-largest program with 328 graduates, produces solid outcomes with median earnings of $41,601. For students seeking the highest individual earning potential, Artificial Intelligence emerges as the top performer with graduates earning $55,770, though this newer program graduates smaller cohorts of about 60 students annually. Psychology represents the university's more moderate-earning track at $29,812, but still contributes meaningfully to the overall student experience with 253 graduates.
Saint Leo University demonstrates strong affordability across income levels, making private education accessible to a broad range of families. Low-income students pay an average net price of $16,216 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $17,642 per year. Even high-income families pay a relatively modest $23,342 annually, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education affordable regardless of family financial circumstances. This pricing structure places Saint Leo in the middle range nationally for private institutions, offering good value for the personalized attention and support services that come with a smaller college environment.
Debt levels remain manageable for most Saint Leo graduates. Students typically leave with about $25,278 in federal loan debt, a reasonable amount given the university's strong earnings outcomes and the premium typically associated with private education. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $12,476, indicating that many families are able to contribute meaningfully to college costs without taking on excessive debt. The university's 0% federal loan default rate demonstrates that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations, likely supported by the substantial earnings advantage that Saint Leo provides compared to similar institutions.
Saint Leo University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
