Students at the University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne benefit from earnings that exceed expectations compared with similar students at other institutions, particularly in the university's signature healthcare programs.
The focused nursing and health sciences curriculum, combined with small-college personalized attention, creates reliable pathways into stable, well-compensated healthcare careers.
The University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne is a small private nonprofit institution that serves as a focused pathway into healthcare careers, particularly nursing and allied health fields. While it doesn't rank among the top-tier institutions nationally, it provides above-average return on investment with graduates earning a median of $55,362 ten years after enrollment. The university demonstrates strong commitment to access, with 43% of students receiving Pell Grants and 36% being first-generation college students.
What distinguishes Saint Francis is its specialized focus on health sciences education combined with the personalized attention typical of small private colleges. The institution's nursing program graduates 125 students annually with median earnings of $53,017, creating a reliable pipeline into stable, well-compensated healthcare careers. Net prices remain relatively affordable for a private institution, with low-income students paying around $19,135 annually and middle-income families seeing costs of $18,814.
As an "Under-Resourced Institution" in terms of mobility outcomes, Saint Francis faces challenges in elevating low-income students to the highest earning levels, but it maintains solid graduation rates and provides meaningful access to professional healthcare education. For students specifically interested in nursing or health services, the focused program portfolio and small-college environment offer clear advantages in terms of faculty mentorship and clinical placement opportunities.
The University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne's program portfolio centers heavily on healthcare education, with nursing serving as the flagship offering. The Adult Health Nursing program graduates 125 students annually with median earnings of $53,017, representing both the largest enrollment and strongest financial outcomes. This concentration creates deep expertise in clinical education and strong relationships with regional healthcare employers.
Health Services and Allied Health programs complement the nursing focus, graduating smaller cohorts of about 27 students who earn around $34,847 early in their careers. While these programs show more modest earnings, they provide important pathways into healthcare support roles and often serve as stepping stones for students planning to pursue advanced degrees in nursing or other health professions.
The university's specialized focus means program outcomes are closely tied to healthcare sector performance and regional employment patterns. Students benefit from concentrated faculty expertise, clinical partnerships, and direct connections to Fort Wayne's healthcare network. However, the limited program diversity means students seeking careers outside healthcare may find fewer options compared to larger, more comprehensive institutions.
Graduates of the University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $55,362 ten years after enrollment. The university performs above average nationally for return on investment, ranking in the 62nd percentile, and graduates earn about $4,716 more than similar students at comparable institutions. This earnings advantage reflects the institution's focus on healthcare fields, which typically offer stable employment and competitive compensation.
The strongest financial returns come from the university's signature nursing program, which graduates 125 students annually with median earnings of $53,017 ten years out. Adult Health Nursing represents the highest aggregate return program, combining substantial enrollment with solid earning potential. Health Services and Allied Health programs also contribute meaningfully to outcomes, though with smaller cohorts of about 27 graduates earning around $34,847 early in their careers.
The university's concentrated focus on healthcare education creates predictable career pathways for most graduates. With nursing representing the dominant program and health sciences forming the core of the academic portfolio, students benefit from specialized faculty expertise, clinical partnerships, and direct connections to regional healthcare employers. This focused approach helps explain why Saint Francis graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations, even within a smaller institutional framework.
Affordability at the University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne is reasonable for a private nonprofit institution, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Low-income students pay approximately $19,135 annually, while middle-income families see net costs of $18,814 per year. Even high-income families face net prices of $24,003, which remains competitive compared to many private colleges. The university's financial aid approach appears to prioritize need-based assistance, creating relatively similar costs across income levels.
Debt levels are manageable for most graduates given their earning potential. Typical federal student loan debt is $25,976, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages $15,140 for families who choose this option. With median graduate earnings of $55,362 ten years out, most borrowers can handle standard repayment without significant financial strain. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully.
The combination of focused healthcare programs and reasonable debt levels creates a sustainable financial model for most students. While net prices reflect the premium typical of private education, the specialized nature of the programs and strong employment outcomes in healthcare fields help justify the investment for students committed to these career paths.
University Of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
