Students at St.
John Fisher University achieve earnings that place the institution among the top 10% of colleges nationwide for long-term financial outcomes.
Graduates consistently reach strong salary levels that reflect the university's focus on career preparation and professional development across key fields.
St. John Fisher University ranks among the top-performing private institutions nationwide for long-term student outcomes, with graduates achieving earnings that place the university in the 90th percentile nationally. Located in Rochester, New York, this medium-sized private nonprofit university has built a reputation for delivering strong return on investment through focused academic programs and personalized educational experiences.
The university's strength lies in its ability to prepare students for high-earning careers, particularly in nursing, business, and healthcare fields. With a 74% six-year graduation rate and median earnings of $66,944 ten years after enrollment, St. John Fisher demonstrates consistent success in helping students achieve their professional goals. The institution serves a moderately selective student population, with about 28% of students receiving Pell Grants and 25% being first-generation college students.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, St. John Fisher combines solid academic outcomes with reasonable access for students from diverse backgrounds. The university's focused approach to career preparation, combined with its strong alumni network in the Rochester region and beyond, creates pathways to financial success that consistently outperform many peer institutions. For families willing to invest in a private education, St. John Fisher offers a compelling combination of personalized attention and measurable career outcomes.
St. John Fisher University's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on professional fields that lead directly to stable, well-paying careers. Nursing stands out as both the largest and most economically successful program, graduating 211 students annually with median earnings of $62,253, creating the highest aggregate economic impact of any major. This reflects the university's strong reputation in healthcare education and the robust demand for nursing professionals in the Rochester region and beyond.
Business and finance programs demonstrate particularly strong individual earning potential, with Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earning $50,022 early in their careers. These programs benefit from the university's connections to Rochester's financial services sector and provide students with practical skills that translate directly to employment opportunities. The university's emphasis on experiential learning and internships helps business students build professional networks that support career advancement.
Liberal arts programs like Biology and Psychology, while showing more moderate early-career earnings at $24,421 and $29,995 respectively, serve important roles as preparation for graduate school and professional programs. Many Biology graduates pursue medical school or other health professions, while Psychology majors often continue to graduate study or enter human services careers. The university's strong academic foundation in these fields supports students' long-term career goals even when immediate earnings are lower than professional programs.
St. John Fisher University delivers exceptionally strong financial outcomes for graduates, with median earnings of $66,944 ten years after enrollment placing the institution in the 90th percentile nationally among all colleges and universities. This performance reflects the university's focus on career-oriented programs that connect directly to well-paying professional opportunities. Graduates consistently achieve earnings levels that justify the investment in their education, with 580 alumni earning more than $75,000 annually.
The university's strongest returns come from its nursing program, which graduates 211 students annually with median earnings of $62,253, creating the highest aggregate return of any program. Banking and Financial Support Services leads in individual earnings at $50,022, while Biology and Psychology programs, though offering more moderate early-career earnings at $24,421 and $29,995 respectively, provide solid foundations for graduate school or career advancement. This program mix reflects St. John Fisher's emphasis on professional preparation across healthcare, business, and liberal arts disciplines.
The university's career-focused approach and strong employer relationships in the Rochester metropolitan area contribute to graduates' ability to secure well-paying positions relatively quickly after graduation. Six-year earnings of $61,198 demonstrate that St. John Fisher alumni establish strong earning trajectories early in their careers, with continued growth leading to the impressive ten-year outcomes that distinguish the institution nationally.
St. John Fisher University's affordability profile reflects its position as a private institution offering significant financial aid to make education accessible across income levels. Low-income students pay a net price of $14,994 annually, which represents substantial institutional support through grants and scholarships. Middle-income families face higher costs at $27,255 per year, while high-income families pay $32,667 annually, reflecting the university's commitment to need-based aid while maintaining its educational quality.
The university's financial aid strategy helps students manage the costs of private education, though families should expect to contribute more than they would at public institutions. Most students graduate with manageable debt levels, with typical federal loan debt of $23,250 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $34,895. These debt levels, while higher than many public universities, remain reasonable given the strong earning outcomes graduates achieve.
St. John Fisher's loan repayment data shows encouraging patterns, with borrowers paying down balances faster than national averages. By year four after graduation, students have paid off about 11% of their original loan balances, placing the university in the 83rd percentile nationally for balance reduction. This strong repayment performance reflects both the solid earnings graduates achieve and the university's emphasis on financial literacy and career preparation that helps students manage their post-graduation financial responsibilities effectively.
St. John Fisher University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
