At $25,866/yr net price, Arcadia University graduates earn $58,336/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,336/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,866 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,464 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,336/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,336/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,744/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,872/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,027/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,220/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,115/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health. | Master | $77,715 | |
| Genetics. | Master | $73,321 | $41,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $72,163 | $87,258 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $62,209 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $59,124 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,941 | $26,358 |
| Security Science and Technology. | Master | $51,607 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $50,677 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $48,041 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $47,260 | $33,223 |
The Risk Factor
64.0% of students at Arcadia University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Arcadia University gives you a moderate financial return with real risk baked in. You pay a net price that runs close to the median debt you graduate with, and your median earnings ten years out land in a range that covers loan payments but leaves little room to build wealth quickly. The 64% graduation rate is the biggest problem: one in three of you leaves without the degree that justifies the cost, and dropping out with debt and no credential is the worst outcome here.
The programs that pay off cluster in business and quantitative fields. Computer and Information Sciences leads at $52,941, and Accounting follows close behind while carrying full median debt. Both feed into Philadelphia's regional finance and tech employers. Marketing, International Business, and Mathematics all sit in the low $40,000s, which is thin against $27,000 in debt. If you major in one of those and borrow the median, your first years of payments will bite. No bachelor-level salary data appears here for the humanities or arts programs, so treat those as unknowns and ask Arcadia for placement numbers before enrolling.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $18,744, roughly $12,000 less per year than families over $110,000. That gap makes Arcadia a defensible choice if you qualify for need-based aid and you target computer science or accounting. If your family earns over $110,000 and you plan to study a low-earning major, you are paying the most for the weakest payoff.
Arcadia fits you if you enroll in a business or computing program, finish in four years, and keep borrowing near or below the median. Look elsewhere if you are unsure you will graduate or if the degree you want has no earnings track record here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arcadia University worth the debt?
With median debt of $27,000 and graduates earning $58,336 after 10 years, Arcadia offers manageable debt levels relative to income. The debt-to-income ratio is reasonable compared to many private colleges, though earnings vary significantly by major.
What are the best paying majors at Arcadia University?
Public Health ($77,715), Genetics ($73,321), and Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Professions ($72,163) offer the strongest earning potential at Arcadia. These programs significantly outperform the school average and justify the private college cost.
How does Arcadia University's ROI compare to other schools?
Arcadia's 10-year earnings of $58,336 are modest for a private college charging $25,866 annually. The 64% graduation rate is concerning, meaning over one-third of students don't finish their degree.
Should I choose Arcadia University over a state school?
Only if you're pursuing Public Health, Genetics, or Rehabilitation programs where Arcadia shows strong outcomes. For most other majors, state schools likely offer better value given Arcadia's average post-graduation earnings.