At $28,348/yr net price, Adelphi University graduates earn $75,482/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $41,482/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $28,348 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $113,392 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $75,482/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$41,482/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,149/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,621/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,183/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,583/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,093/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $111,563 | $53,604 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $90,625 | $25,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $70,296 | $40,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Certificate | $59,417 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $59,169 | $144,795 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $59,124 | $52,625 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $58,912 | $92,680 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $57,995 | $25,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Certificate | $57,318 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $56,641 |
The Risk Factor
68.9% of students at Adelphi University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Adelphi's financial return is solid but uneven, and where you land depends almost entirely on your major. Median earnings ten years out sit comfortably above the debt you'll carry, and with median debt at $25,000 you're not walking away with a crushing loan. The 83% retention rate and near-69% graduation rate mean most people who start here finish, which matters because dropping out with debt and no degree is the worst outcome.
Nursing is the clear winner. A nursing bachelor's here pays roughly $90,000 ten years out, and against $25,375 in debt that's the best deal on campus by a wide margin. Garden City and the surrounding New York metro have deep demand for nurses, so those earnings are dependable. Finance and accounting are the next tier, both landing in the low-to-mid $50,000s, respectable for the region. Business administration and mathematics, though, sit in the low-$40,000s. If you major in one of those, you're paying private-school prices for earnings that barely clear your debt, and you should think hard about whether that math works.
The cost tiers are the real risk here. If your family earns over $110,000, you'll pay more than $32,000 a year, and four years of that is a serious commitment for a math or general-business degree. Lower-income families get meaningful relief, paying around $22,000 if you earn under $30,000, though that's still a private-school bill.
Adelphi fits you well if you're heading into nursing or a finance-track business path and can absorb the price. If you're chasing a lower-paying major and paying the top net-price tier, a cheaper public option in New York will likely leave you better off financially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adelphi University worth the cost?
Adelphi's value depends heavily on your major - nursing graduates earn strong salaries around $90,000-$111,000, while education and psychology majors start around $59,000. With a net price of $28,348 and median debt of $25,000, the ROI is reasonable for healthcare programs but weaker for other fields.
What programs at Adelphi University have the best ROI?
Nursing programs offer the strongest return on investment at Adelphi, with graduates earning $90,000-$111,000 annually. Business administration graduates earn around $70,000, while education and psychology majors see lower starting salaries around $59,000.
How much debt do Adelphi University graduates typically have?
Adelphi graduates have a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. This debt level works well for nursing graduates but may be harder to service for lower-earning majors like education.
Are Adelphi University graduates able to find jobs after graduation?
Adelphi's 69% graduation rate is below the national average for four-year colleges. The school's location near New York City provides job opportunities, particularly for nursing and business graduates, though career outcomes vary significantly by program.