At $23,987/yr net price, Franciscan University of Steubenville graduates earn $50,030/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,030/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,987 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $95,948 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,030/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,030/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 77.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,384 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,180/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,481/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,272/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,360/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,319/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. | Bachelor | $57,544 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $54,713 | $20,571 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $27,000 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $41,992 | $35,552 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $37,208 | $51,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $23,720 |
| Religious Education. | Bachelor | $33,637 | $25,000 |
| Education, General. | Master | $33,281 | |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $24,750 |
The Risk Factor
77.1% of students at Franciscan University of Steubenville graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 23% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Franciscan University of Steubenville gives you a middling financial return with sharp differences depending on your major. The median graduate earns about $50,000 ten years out against a net price near $24,000 a year, so the school works if you pick the right program and stumbles badly if you don't.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays about $57,500 and is the only bachelor's program here that lands graduates well above the school's median. Business Administration comes in second but drops to roughly $42,700, a $15,000 gap from nursing for the same debt load of $27,000. Everything else on the list is a financial problem. Communication, Religious Education, and Theological and Ministerial Studies all pay in the low $30,000s while carrying $23,000 to $25,000 in debt. If you graduate from one of the ministry or religious-studies programs, your earnings barely clear what many jobs pay without a degree, and you still owe as much as a nursing grad who earns nearly double.
The specific risk here is that Franciscan's identity draws students toward theology and ministry majors, which are exactly the programs that don't pay. Steubenville sits in an Appalachian corner of Ohio with a thin local job market, so low-paying degrees don't get rescued by regional demand.
The net price tiers are close across incomes. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $18,500, only about $8,000 less than families over $110,000. Aid does not scale steeply with need here, so lower-income families still carry a real bill.
This school fits you if you enroll in nursing or business and want a Catholic environment. If your goal is ministry or theology, go in knowing the paycheck will be small and borrow as little as you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franciscan University of Steubenville worth the cost?
Franciscan University graduates earn $50,030 annually after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $23,987 per year and median debt of $23,384, the return on investment is modest compared to other private universities.
What are the best paying majors at Franciscan University of Steubenville?
Nursing programs offer the strongest financial returns, with registered nursing graduates earning $57,544 annually. Business administration graduates earn between $42,682-$54,713, while theology and psychology majors see significantly lower earnings at $41,992 and $37,208 respectively.
How much debt do Franciscan University of Steubenville graduates have?
The median debt for Franciscan graduates is $23,384, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, graduates in lower-paying fields like theology may struggle to pay off loans with starting salaries around $42,000.
Does Franciscan University of Steubenville have good job outcomes?
The school has a solid 77% graduation rate, but employment outcomes vary significantly by major. Nursing and business students typically find good career prospects, while humanities and theology graduates face a more challenging job market with lower average salaries.