At $20,822/yr net price, Carlow University graduates earn $51,051/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,051/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,822 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,288 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,051/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,051/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,896/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,776/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,527/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,767/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,797/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 | $87,051 | $54,092 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $81,812 | |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $60,623 | $41,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,919 | $24,000 |
| Security Science and Technology. | Master | $52,941 | $34,166 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $21,500 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $39,369 | $55,109 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $37,748 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $36,132 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
55.2% of students at Carlow University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Carlow University's financial return leans on one program: nursing. If you graduate from its bachelor's nursing program, you earn well above the school's median and carry debt you can pay down on a nurse's salary. Pittsburgh's hospital system gives those graduates a real regional job market, and this is the clearest reason to pick Carlow.
Outside nursing, the picture gets weaker fast. Accounting graduates earn respectably and borrow less than most, so that path holds up. But biology, human resources, and social work all pay below the school's already modest median, and biology graduates leave with more debt than nursing graduates while earning far less. If you enroll in biology and borrow to do it, you are taking on the school's worst debt-to-earnings tradeoff. Social work pays little everywhere, so know that going in.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Just over half of students graduate, and nearly a quarter don't return after their first year. Debt with no degree is the worst outcome here, and at Carlow that outcome is common enough to take seriously. Net price also matters more than the sticker suggests: you pay a real amount even at low incomes, and the price barely moves between the bottom two income tiers before climbing for families above $48k.
Carlow is a good financial fit for you if you're committed to nursing or accounting and confident you'll finish. If you're drawn to biology, HR, or social work, weigh whether the price and completion odds justify the borrowing. If you're unsure of your major or your ability to graduate, a cheaper option lowers your downside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlow University worth the cost?
Carlow's value depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn $58,000-$87,000 annually, making the $25,500 median debt manageable, but other programs show weaker returns on the $20,822 annual net price.
What are the best paying majors at Carlow University?
Nursing programs dominate Carlow's highest-earning graduates, with some tracks reaching $87,000 annually. Business administration graduates average $60,600, while bioethics majors earn around $76,400.
How much debt do Carlow University students typically graduate with?
Carlow graduates carry a median debt of $25,500. With nursing graduates earning $58,000-$87,000, this debt load is reasonable for those programs, but may be challenging for lower-paying fields.
What is Carlow University's graduation rate and job prospects?
Only 55% of Carlow students graduate, which is below the national average. However, nursing program graduates find strong job markets in healthcare, with starting salaries that justify the investment.