Students at St.
Thomas University achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations, with graduates earning nearly $9,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
The university's track record includes top-quartile outcomes for low-income students and exceptional loan repayment success.
St. Thomas University is a small private nonprofit institution in Miami Gardens, Florida, serving a diverse student body with nearly 25% receiving Pell Grants and over 40% being first-generation college students. The university demonstrates solid financial outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $54,272 ten years after enrollment, placing it around the national average for earnings performance. What makes St. Thomas distinctive is its ability to deliver earnings beyond expectations—graduates earn about $8,685 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
The university operates as a "Selective Achievers" institution, meaning it provides strong outcomes for the students it serves while maintaining more selective access patterns. Low-income students who do enroll see particularly strong results, with median earnings of $49,500 that place the university in the top 25% nationally for low-income student outcomes. This performance reflects the institution's focus on career-oriented programs, particularly in business administration and professional fields.
As a small private university in South Florida, St. Thomas University offers the personalized attention and support systems that help students succeed, especially those who are the first in their families to attend college. The combination of solid earnings outcomes, strong support for diverse students, and a manageable campus environment makes it an appealing option for students seeking both academic achievement and long-term financial stability.
St. Thomas University's program portfolio focuses on practical, career-oriented fields that prepare students for stable employment in South Florida's diverse economy. Business Administration and Management serves as the university's flagship program, graduating 57 students annually with median earnings of $41,565 ten years out. The program's substantial aggregate return of over $2.3 million demonstrates how the combination of solid enrollment and competitive earnings creates meaningful economic impact for graduates.
The university also maintains programs in specialized professional fields, including corrections administration and related criminal justice areas. While these programs serve smaller cohorts—corrections administration graduates about 20 students annually—they provide important pathways into public service careers with median earnings around $21,052. These programs reflect the university's commitment to serving diverse career interests and preparing students for roles in law enforcement, corrections, and related public safety fields.
As a small institution, St. Thomas University focuses on program quality over breadth, concentrating resources on fields where it can provide strong outcomes and meaningful career preparation. The emphasis on business and professional programs aligns well with the Miami metropolitan area's job market, helping explain why graduates consistently achieve earnings that exceed expectations compared with peers at similar institutions nationwide.
St. Thomas University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that often exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $54,272, which places the university around the national average for earnings performance. More importantly, graduates earn approximately $8,685 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value to student outcomes. This earnings advantage reflects the institution's focus on career-oriented education and strong connections to South Florida's diverse economy.
The university's program portfolio centers on practical, professionally-oriented fields that lead to stable career paths. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program by total return and a significant driver of graduate success, with 57 graduates earning a median of $41,565 ten years out. The program's substantial aggregate return of over $2.3 million demonstrates how enrollment scale combined with solid earnings creates meaningful economic impact. Other programs, including those in corrections administration and related professional fields, provide pathways into public service and criminal justice careers.
The university's location in the Miami metropolitan area provides graduates access to a dynamic job market with opportunities across business, healthcare, education, and public service sectors. This geographic advantage, combined with the institution's focus on practical skills and professional preparation, helps explain why St. Thomas graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations compared with peers at similar institutions nationwide.
St. Thomas University maintains relatively consistent net pricing across income levels, with low-income students paying about $23,083 annually and middle-income families seeing costs around $23,944 per year. High-income families face somewhat higher net prices at $28,725, but the overall pricing structure reflects the university's commitment to keeping education accessible across different economic backgrounds. These net prices place the institution in the lower portion of the national distribution for affordability, meaning families typically pay more than at many comparable institutions.
Despite the moderate net prices, the university's debt outcomes remain manageable for most graduates. Typical federal student loan debt is about $19,125, which aligns with national patterns for private institutions of similar size and scope. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $11,499, a relatively modest level that suggests many families are able to cover a substantial portion of costs through other means. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations after graduation.
The combination of solid earnings outcomes and manageable debt levels creates a sustainable financial picture for most St. Thomas graduates. With median earnings of $54,272 ten years out, typical borrowers can handle standard loan repayment without significant financial strain, and the university's strong track record of zero defaults suggests that the debt-to-earnings ratio works well for the vast majority of students.
St. Thomas University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
