Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks St Lawrence University #1037 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,484 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St Lawrence University in the 15.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks St Lawrence University #672 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks St Lawrence University #1037 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 29.7 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Canton, NY, St Lawrence University enrolls roughly 1,918 undergraduates. Retention is 90.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 79.1%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. St Lawrence University draws strength from its access profile and outcomes for low-income students. 21.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 13.2% are first-generation college students, positioning the institution as a meaningful access point for students from under-resourced backgrounds. Azimuth ranks St Lawrence University 57.9 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting strong outcomes for low-income graduates relative to comparable institutions. Graduates earn about $12,484 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St Lawrence University in the 15.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Return on investment sits lower in the composite. Azimuth ranks St Lawrence University #672 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 54.7 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment place St Lawrence University in the 70.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the earnings profile typical of liberal arts colleges in the region. Affordability sits in the 12.4 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, a position shaped by the institution's private tuition structure and the scope of need-based aid available to admitted students.
St Lawrence University's published cost of attendance is $82,000. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $13,420, families in the lower-middle band pay around $14,008, middle-income families pay about $19,401, families in the upper-middle band pay approximately $24,263, and higher-income families pay around $37,450. Azimuth ranks St Lawrence University #1249 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 Lawrence University's aid structure is need-based, with demonstrated financial need met through a combination of grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The gap between published cost of attendance and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the affordability rank indicates that post-graduation debt service relative to typical graduate earnings places the institution in a moderate position within the peer landscape. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $44,628; 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 $66,273, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
St Lawrence University is a strong fit for students drawn to the social sciences who want a private liberal arts college experience in NY, Northeast. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $66,273, placing St Lawrence University in the 70.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $12,484 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 15.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure is need-based. For admitted Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 21.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 13.2% are first-generation — that structure can meaningfully close the gap between the $37,450 published cost and what families actually pay. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 54.3% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Social Sciences fields over applied-professional ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the country.
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 Lawrence University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Economics
76 graduates
Mathematics
23 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
89 graduates
Political Science and Government
55 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
12 graduates
St Lawrence University's program mix is anchored in Social Sciences, a signature that shapes both enrollment patterns and career outcomes. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 89 graduates, followed by Economics, Psychology, General, Communication and Media Studies, and Political Science.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 696 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes. The highest-earning programs at St Lawrence reflect both disciplinary strength and market positioning.
Economics graduates earn median earnings of $96,345 four years after enrollment, followed by Mathematics at $88,586, Business/Commerce, General at $82,269, Political Science at $75,486, and Communication and Media Studies at $72,839. Among the most popular majors, Business/Commerce, General graduates earn $82,269, while Economics graduates earn $96,345, demonstrating that enrollment scale and earnings strength often align across the institution's portfolio.
The concentration in Social Sciences reflects St Lawrence's liberal arts identity and regional positioning. Graduates in these fields typically enter stable, professional career pathways — education, business, public service, and social research — where outcomes depend on field-specific labor-market demand and individual career choices.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national wage trends and hiring patterns.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
St Lawrence University's published cost of attendance is $82,000. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $13,420, families in the lower-middle band pay around $14,008, middle-income families pay about $19,401, families in the upper-middle band pay approximately $24,263, and higher-income families pay around $37,450.
Azimuth ranks St Lawrence University #1249 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 Lawrence University's aid structure is need-based, with demonstrated financial need met through a combination of grants, loans, and work-study. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
The gap between published cost of attendance and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the affordability rank indicates that post-graduation debt service relative to typical graduate earnings places the institution in a moderate position within the peer landscape. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $44,628; 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 $66,273, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 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 Lawrence University earn median 4-year earnings of $66,273, placing St Lawrence University in the 70.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,484 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St Lawrence University in the 15.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks St Lawrence University #672 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects St Lawrence University's strength in social sciences and related fields.
Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 89 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $82,269, performing at 1.2x the national benchmark for the field. The Economics program graduates 76 students earning $96,345, while Psychology, General with 67 graduates reaches $62,479.
Communication and Media Studies and Political Science round out the top programs, with 55 and 55 graduates respectively earning $72,839 and $75,486. The concentration in Social Sciences — which anchors the institution's degree output — aligns with career pathways that support solid mid-career earnings and long-term professional growth.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saint Michael's College Higher acceptance rate (33.4 percentage points higher) and located 98 miles away; similar graduate earnings | VT | 92% | $61,317 | Compare |
University At Albany Higher acceptance rate (11.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 70% | $67,979 | Compare |
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Higher acceptance rate (12.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MA | 71% | $67,725 | Compare |
Suny College At Plattsburgh Same state (84 miles away) (earnings difference: 16.1%) | NY | 75% | $56,403 | Compare |
Saint Michael's College Same region (98 miles away) with similar earnings; same institution type | VT | 92% | $61,317 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Siena College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#28260 ranked) | NY | 69% | $76,079 | #28260 | Compare |
Point Loma Nazarene University Similar quality tier (#28261 ranked) | CA | 84% | $63,998 | #28261 | Compare |
Occidental College Similar quality tier (#28250 ranked) | CA | 44% | $75,951 | #28250 | Compare |
Trinity Christian College Similar quality tier (#28247 ranked) | IL | 85% | $55,700 | #28247 | Compare |
Wheaton College Similar quality tier (#28246 ranked) | IL | 87% | $63,756 | #28246 | Compare |
