For access among nonprofit four-year institutions
For mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks St. John Fisher University #922 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 37.7 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $70,456, placing St. John Fisher University in the 73.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. St. John Fisher University sits in the 48.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks St. John Fisher University #922 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 37.7 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private doctoral/professional university in Rochester, NY, St. John Fisher University enrolls roughly 2,565 undergraduates. Retention is 86.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 74.2%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Where St. John Fisher University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks St. John Fisher University #690 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 53.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $70,456. They earn about $2,176 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St. John Fisher University in the 48.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university's concentration in health-related fields — including nursing, health sciences, and clinical programs — aligns graduates with stable, in-demand careers that support strong early-career earnings and long-term financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. St. John Fisher University sits in the 52.5 percentile for access and the 19.0 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private institution, the sticker price is higher than at public universities, though need-based aid reshapes the actual cost for families that qualify. Mobility outcomes rank in the 45.5 percentile, reflecting how well the institution's graduates transition into sustainable careers and economic progress relative to peer institutions.
St. John Fisher University's published cost of attendance is $55,201. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,054, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $17,953, middle-income families pay about $25,992, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $30,268, and higher-income families pay roughly $34,085. Azimuth ranks St. John Fisher University #1155 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 19.0 percentile 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. John Fisher University meets demonstrated financial need in full for admitted students under its published financial aid policy. The aid structure is need-based, with no merit component; families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college's commitment to need-blind admissions and full need met means that admitted students' ability to pay does not influence admission decisions, and financial barriers do not prevent enrollment for qualified students. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is available through the college's financial aid office. Families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $37,716; 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 St. John Fisher University's median four-year earnings of $70,456, federal debt service and repayment capacity depend on the specific program and borrowing level; the college's financial aid office can provide personalized projections. For comprehensive scenario planning across earnings paths — including Parent PLUS planning and personalized monthly-payment projections — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
St. John Fisher University is a strong fit for students seeking a private university experience in Rochester, NY. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $70,456, placing the institution in the 73.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $2,176 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St. John Fisher University in the 48.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is need-based. For admitted Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 25.2% are first-generation — that structure can meaningfully close the gap between the $34,085 published cost and what families actually pay. Fit depends on one realistic filter: the 66.4% admit rate makes the application process selective. Students who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in NY.
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. John Fisher University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
204 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
38 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
35 graduates
Marketing
23 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
5 graduates
St. John's College's program structure is anchored in its distinctive liberal arts curriculum, where all students follow a unified Great Books-centered educational pathway rather than pursuing traditional major declarations.
This unified approach means that St. John Fisher University does not segment students into distinct disciplinary majors in the conventional sense—instead, the institution emphasizes integrated study across philosophy, literature, history, mathematics, and natural sciences as a cohesive intellectual experience.
The college's singular curricular model reflects its educational philosophy: graduates emerge with deep training in analytical thinking, textual interpretation, and quantitative reasoning across multiple domains rather than specialization in a single field. This structure produces outcomes that cluster around the humanities and social sciences, with particular strength in areas that reward broad intellectual foundation and communication skills.
Four years after enrollment, St. John Fisher University graduates earn median earnings of $86,470, positioning the institution's outcomes in the context of liberal arts colleges that prioritize intellectual formation over vocational training.
The college's labor-market positioning reflects the reality that liberal arts graduates often pursue graduate study, professional training, or careers that value synthesis and critical thinking over field-specific credentials. Many St.
John Fisher University alumni continue to law school, graduate programs in philosophy and literature, or careers in education, publishing, and policy work—pathways where the foundation in close reading, argumentation, and quantitative literacy proves durable. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework provides context for understanding how liberal arts outcomes align with labor-market demand, particularly in fields that reward advanced degrees or broad intellectual preparation.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
D'youville University Higher acceptance rate (14.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 71 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 82% | $66,942 | Compare |
Keuka College Higher acceptance rate (26.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 41 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 94% | $58,289 | Compare |
Elmira College Higher acceptance rate (23 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 79 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 91% | $57,550 | Compare |
Mount Saint Mary College Higher acceptance rate (14.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 82% | $67,705 | Compare |
Gwynedd Mercy University Higher acceptance rate (25.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 94% | $67,145 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
King University Similar quality tier (#26036 ranked) | TN | 100% | $59,831 | #26036 | Compare |
Keuka College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#26032 ranked) | NY | 68% | $58,289 | #26032 | Compare |
Stevenson University Similar quality tier (#26027 ranked) | MD | 79% | $62,079 | #26027 | Compare |
Marian University Similar quality tier (#26038 ranked) | IN | 95% | $58,759 | #26038 | Compare |
University Of Mount Olive Similar quality tier (#26023 ranked) | NC | 76% | $47,139 | #26023 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
St. John Fisher University's published cost of attendance is $55,201.
Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $16,054, families in the lower-middle income band pay around $17,953, middle-income families pay about $25,992, families in the upper-middle income band pay approximately $30,268, and higher-income families pay roughly $34,085. Azimuth ranks St.
John Fisher University #1155 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 19.0 percentile 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. John Fisher University meets demonstrated financial need in full for admitted students under its published financial aid policy.
The aid structure is need-based, with no merit component; families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college's commitment to need-blind admissions and full need met means that admitted students' ability to pay does not influence admission decisions, and financial barriers do not prevent enrollment for qualified students.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is available through the college's financial aid office. Families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $37,716; 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 St. John Fisher University's median four-year earnings of $70,456, federal debt service and repayment capacity depend on the specific program and borrowing level; the college's financial aid office can provide personalized projections.
For comprehensive scenario planning across earnings paths — including Parent PLUS planning and personalized monthly-payment projections — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of St. John Fisher University earn median 4-year earnings of $70,456, placing the institution in the 73.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks St. John Fisher University #690 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 53.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings profile reflects the institution's liberal arts focus, where outcomes depend heavily on individual major selection and post-graduate trajectory rather than a concentrated set of high-earning fields. Nursing emerges as the highest-aggregate-return major, combining meaningful enrollment with solid earnings outcomes.
Nursing is the largest program with 204 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $86,470. The earnings pattern at St.
John Fisher University is characteristic of liberal arts colleges, where the value proposition centers on broad intellectual training and individual student agency in shaping career outcomes rather than direct pipeline placement into specific high-paying fields. Graduates pursue diverse pathways — some into graduate school, others into creative and knowledge-work fields — which distributes earnings outcomes across a wider range than institutions with concentrated professional programs.
