Students at the University of Saint Joseph achieve earnings that consistently exceed what similar students earn at comparable institutions, reflecting strong career preparation and support systems.
The university ranks in the top quartile nationally for both overall earnings and outcomes for low-income students, demonstrating effective upward mobility.
The University of Saint Joseph is a small private nonprofit institution in West Hartford, Connecticut, that consistently delivers strong outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. With 36% of students receiving Pell Grants and 42% being first-generation college students, the university maintains a commitment to access while achieving above-average earnings outcomes that place it in the 67th percentile nationally for long-term financial returns.
What distinguishes this institution is its ability to support students through to graduation and career success. The university achieves a 70% six-year graduation rate overall, with Pell recipients graduating at 64%—a relatively small gap that demonstrates effective support systems. Graduates earn a median of $59,908 ten years after enrollment, with many achieving earnings beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions.
As a small private college, the University of Saint Joseph offers the personalized attention and close faculty relationships that help explain its strong mobility outcomes. The institution serves as a "Mobility Engine," combining meaningful access for low-income and first-generation students with graduation rates and earnings that consistently exceed what similar students achieve elsewhere. For families seeking a supportive environment that translates into real economic progress, this represents a compelling option in Connecticut's higher education landscape.
The University of Saint Joseph's program portfolio reflects its mission-driven focus on healthcare and social services, with nursing programs leading both enrollment and earnings outcomes. Adult Health Nursing stands out as the institution's flagship program, graduating 79 students annually with median earnings of $70,705 ten years out, representing the highest aggregate return among all majors. This program exemplifies the university's strength in preparing students for high-demand healthcare careers that offer both job security and strong compensation.
Social work programs, including Forensic Social Work, maintain steady enrollment with 24 graduates earning around $36,848, reflecting the university's commitment to service-oriented careers. While these programs show more moderate earnings, they align with the institution's values-based mission and provide pathways into meaningful work in social services, criminal justice, and community organizations.
The concentrated program mix allows the university to develop deep expertise and strong employer relationships within specific sectors, particularly healthcare systems throughout Connecticut and New England. This focused approach, combined with the small college environment, enables faculty to provide personalized mentoring and career guidance that helps explain why graduates consistently achieve earnings beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions.
Graduates of the University of Saint Joseph achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $59,908 ten years after enrollment. The university performs above average nationally, ranking in the 67th percentile for earnings outcomes, and graduates typically earn about $3,609 more than similar students at comparable institutions. This earnings advantage reflects the institution's focus on career-oriented programs and strong student support systems that help graduates transition successfully into the workforce.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing programs, particularly Adult Health Nursing, which graduates 79 students annually with median earnings of $70,705 ten years out. This program represents the institution's highest aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment with strong pay outcomes. Social work programs, including Forensic Social Work, also maintain steady enrollment with 24 graduates earning around $36,848, reflecting the university's commitment to service-oriented careers that provide meaningful work even if at more moderate salary levels.
The institution's small size allows for focused program development and strong employer relationships, particularly in healthcare and social services sectors throughout Connecticut and the broader New England region. With 186 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, the university demonstrates that a significant portion of its alumni achieve strong financial outcomes, supported by the personalized attention and career guidance that characterize the small college experience.
Affordability at the University of Saint Joseph varies significantly by family income, following typical patterns for private nonprofit institutions. Low-income students pay about $21,080 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $27,448, and higher-income families pay approximately $30,212. These net prices place the university in the 22nd percentile nationally for affordability, indicating that costs run higher than at most comparable institutions.
Despite the higher sticker price typical of private colleges, the university provides substantial financial aid that makes attendance possible for students from diverse economic backgrounds. The significant aid packages help explain how 36% of students qualify for Pell Grants while still maintaining strong graduation rates. Federal student loan debt averages $27,000 for graduates, and Parent PLUS borrowing averages $23,371, reflecting the higher costs but also the family investment in a private college education.
What makes the financial commitment more sustainable is the university's strong track record of helping students complete their degrees and transition into stable careers. With a 0% federal loan default rate and 73% of borrowers successfully repaying their loans, graduates demonstrate the ability to manage their debt obligations effectively. The combination of solid earnings outcomes and strong completion rates helps justify the higher upfront investment for families who value the small college environment and personalized support.
University Of Saint Joseph Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
