Webster University's standout strength lies in its nursing programs, where graduates achieve substantially higher earnings than the university average, reaching around $79,000 in early career positions.
The institution maintains strong financial health indicators, including zero loan defaults, while serving a moderately diverse student body with solid completion rates.
Webster University is a mid-sized private nonprofit institution in Saint Louis, Missouri, that serves about 2,800 undergraduate students with a focus on professional programs and creative disciplines. The university combines traditional liberal arts education with career-focused training, particularly excelling in nursing, business administration, and performing arts programs that prepare students for immediate workforce entry.
Webster's student body includes 28% Pell Grant recipients and about 30% first-generation college students, reflecting moderate socioeconomic diversity within a private university setting. The institution maintains a 61% six-year graduation rate, with graduates earning a median of $50,876 ten years after enrollment. While earnings fall slightly below expectations compared with similar institutions, specific programs like nursing deliver strong financial outcomes, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning around $79,081 early in their careers.
As a private university with comprehensive program offerings, Webster provides the personalized attention and smaller learning environment that many students seek, though families should expect higher net prices than public alternatives. The university's location in Saint Louis offers access to diverse internship and career opportunities across healthcare, business, and creative industries.
Webster University's program portfolio reflects its comprehensive mission, balancing professional preparation with creative disciplines. Business Administration and Management leads enrollment with 121 graduates earning median salaries around $39,153, providing solid outcomes for students entering diverse business careers. The program's large scale creates networking opportunities and employer recognition that benefit graduates in the competitive Saint Louis job market.
The university's nursing programs represent its strongest financial outcomes, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning approximately $79,081 early in their careers. This substantial premium reflects both the high demand for healthcare professionals and Webster's reputation for clinical preparation. With only 35 graduates in this specialized program, students benefit from intensive training and strong job placement rates in the growing healthcare sector.
Webster's commitment to creative disciplines appears in programs like Acting, which graduates 50 students annually with median earnings around $22,034. While these outcomes appear modest compared with business and healthcare, they reflect the different career trajectories typical in performing arts, where success often involves non-traditional income patterns and longer development periods. The university's location in Saint Louis provides access to regional theater, media, and entertainment opportunities that support creative career development.
Webster University graduates earn a median of $50,876 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the national average for long-term earnings outcomes. While overall earnings performance is moderate, the university shows significant variation across programs, with some fields delivering substantially stronger financial returns than others. Graduates in healthcare fields, particularly nursing, see notably higher earnings, while creative disciplines tend toward more modest but still viable career outcomes.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing programs, where Adult Health Nursing graduates earn approximately $79,081 early in their careers, reflecting the high demand and competitive salaries in healthcare. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest program with 121 graduates, produces median earnings of around $39,153, representing solid outcomes for a broad professional field. Acting, while a smaller program with 50 graduates, shows more modest earnings at about $22,034, typical for creative and performing arts disciplines where career paths often involve non-traditional income patterns.
Webster's program mix reflects its positioning as a comprehensive private university that balances professional preparation with creative and liberal arts education. Students choosing high-demand fields like nursing and business can expect competitive career prospects, while those in creative disciplines should understand the different financial trajectory typical of arts careers. The university's Saint Louis location provides access to diverse employment opportunities across multiple sectors, supporting graduates regardless of their chosen field.
Webster University's affordability varies significantly by family income, with net prices ranging from $21,696 for low-income students to $30,453 for high-income families. Low-income students benefit from substantial financial aid that reduces costs to levels comparable with many public universities, while middle-income families pay around $24,193 annually. The university's private status means higher sticker prices, but need-based aid helps make attendance feasible for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Debt levels at Webster are manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt of $23,000 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $13,678. These amounts align with what graduates can reasonably service given the university's median earnings outcomes. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that borrowers successfully manage their repayment obligations, though this also reflects the relatively moderate debt loads students typically carry.
For families considering Webster, the key affordability question centers on whether the private university experience justifies the higher costs compared with public alternatives. Students in high-return programs like nursing may find the investment particularly worthwhile, while those in lower-earning fields should carefully weigh the debt-to-income ratio against their career goals and earning expectations.
Webster University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
