At $18,322/yr net price, Canisius University graduates earn $60,681/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,681/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,322 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,288 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,681/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,681/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,369/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,719/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,657/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,762/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,259/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $84,653 | $25,627 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,387 | $30,750 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $59,350 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $54,835 | $31,169 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master | $50,395 | $30,913 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $49,631 | $21,701 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $47,553 | $37,704 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $23,923 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $24,998 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $45,696 |
The Risk Factor
70.7% of students at Canisius University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Canisius University gives you a solid but unspectacular financial return. Median debt of $24,250 stays below the roughly $60,000 you can expect to earn ten years out, and a 70.70% graduation rate means most people who enroll actually finish and get to that payoff. This is a school where the numbers work if you pick the right major and manage your borrowing.
Your major matters a lot here. Computer science is the clear winner, with graduates earning close to the school-wide median on its own. Business-heavy programs make up most of the top earners, but the spread inside them is real: accounting and economics land in the mid-$40,000s, while finance graduates earn less but leave with the lightest debt load of any listed program, under $20,000. If you're paying a private-college net price, that gap between finance and computer science earnings adds up fast over a decade.
The main risk is paying private tuition for a degree that doesn't pay like one. International business graduates earn in the low $40,000s, and if you borrow the school-typical amount for that outcome in the Buffalo job market, the math gets tight. Canisius is a fit for you if you're headed into computing, accounting, or finance and you keep debt near the median. Look elsewhere if you want a lower-earning field and can't get the net price down.
Net price scales hard with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $12,000 a year. over $110,000, it's roughly double that. For lower-income families the discount makes the return workable. If you're in the top bracket paying full freight past $23,000 a year, your major needs to earn its keep, which points you back toward computer science or accounting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canisius University worth the cost?
Canisius University offers mixed value depending on your major. With graduates earning $60,681 annually and carrying $24,250 in debt, the school provides reasonable returns for business and education programs but weaker outcomes for other fields.
What are the highest paying majors at Canisius University?
Educational Administration leads at $84,653 annually, followed by Business Administration at $65,387. Computer Science graduates earn $59,350, while Health and Physical Education majors see lower returns at $50,395.
How much debt do Canisius University students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $24,250, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, this debt load works better for education and business majors than for lower-paying programs.
Does Canisius University have good financial aid?
The net price of $18,322 per year represents significant aid from the full sticker price. About 70% of students graduate, suggesting most can afford to complete their degrees.