Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks St Catherine University #586 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $13,866 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St Catherine University in the 91.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks St Catherine University #586 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University enrolls roughly 2,473 undergraduates. Retention is 80.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 61.3%, reflecting strong student persistence through degree completion. Where St Catherine University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks St Catherine University #305 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $65,829, and earn about $13,866 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St Catherine University in the 91.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant focus on Health fields — where employer demand and career stability drive strong early-career outcomes — anchors this performance. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. St Catherine University sits in the 54.5 percentile for access and the 52.0 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the tuition structure and enrollment profile typical of private doctoral/professional universities. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 25.0 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students who enroll, the combination of strong earnings outcomes and a focused academic mission centered on Health creates a clear pathway to financial stability and career purpose.
St Catherine University's published cost of attendance is $60,476. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $17,890, low-to-middle-income families pay around $15,190, middle-income families pay about $15,451, middle-to-higher-income families pay approximately $19,376, and higher-income families pay around $27,021. Azimuth ranks St Catherine University #684 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. St Catherine University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to close the gap between sticker price and what families pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of aid packages for eligible students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,181, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,883; 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 typical four-year earnings of $65,829, median federal debt of $24,181 projects to a monthly payment of about $273 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
St. Catherine University is a strong fit for students interested in health-oriented fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Saint Paul, MN. The university's program mix leans heavily toward Health, which represents 9% of degrees. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $65,829, placing St Catherine University in the 70.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $13,866 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 91.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 40.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.8% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates that support upward mobility. Published cost of attendance is $27,021, and median federal debt at graduation is $24,181. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 91.8% admit rate makes the application process moderately selective, and the program mix favors health-oriented fields over other disciplines. Students whose interests align with those areas will find strong outcomes in the health sector.
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 St Catherine University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Economics
11 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
167 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
59 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
6 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
23 graduates
St. Catherine University's program mix is anchored in health professions and nursing—a signature aligned with the institution's mission as a Catholic women's university with deep roots in healthcare education.
Nursing is the largest program with 167 graduates annually, followed by Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Public Health, Teacher Education, and Social Work. Across ranked programs serving roughly 529 students annually, several deliver strong median four-year earnings outcomes aligned with healthcare and professional-services demand.
The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentration in health and applied professional fields. Nursing graduates earn median four-year earnings of $85,514, while Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduates earn $83,211.
Business Administration and Biology, General round out the highest-earning programs, with median four-year earnings of $67,876 and $64,834 respectively. These outcomes cluster in fields where St Catherine University maintains established pipelines to employers and professional licensure pathways.
Many of St Catherine University's dominant programs are professional-credential pathways where median four-year earnings reflect entry into regulated or high-demand sectors—nursing, healthcare administration, and related health professions where graduates move directly into the workforce. The concentration in Health fields aligns with sustained employer demand and wage stability across regional labor markets.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mercy College Of Ohio Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15570 ranked) | OH | 93% | $65,409 | #15570 | Compare |
Neumann University Similar quality tier (#15577 ranked) | PA | 81% | $57,817 | #15577 | Compare |
Bradley University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15578 ranked) | IL | 77% | $66,852 | #15578 | Compare |
Utica University Similar quality tier (#15564 ranked) | NY | 92% | $63,277 | #15564 | Compare |
Lincoln Memorial University Similar quality tier (#15581 ranked) | TN | 63% | $49,956 | #15581 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
St Catherine University's published cost of attendance is $60,476. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $17,890, low-to-middle-income families pay around $15,190, middle-income families pay about $15,451, middle-to-higher-income families pay approximately $19,376, and higher-income families pay around $27,021.
Azimuth ranks St Catherine University #684 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.
St Catherine University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid applied to close the gap between sticker price and what families pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of aid packages for eligible students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,181, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,883; 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 typical four-year earnings of $65,829, median federal debt of $24,181 projects to a monthly payment of about $273 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 St Catherine University earn median 4-year earnings of $65,829, placing St Catherine University in the 70.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $13,866 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St Catherine University in the 91.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks St Catherine University #305 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects St Catherine University's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 167 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $85,514, representing 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions program graduates 59 students earning $83,211, and the The Public Health program graduates 48 students earning $61,169.
Together, these programs anchor the institution's earnings profile and align with strong regional demand for health professionals in the Twin Cities labor market.
