At $29,124/yr net price, John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn $56,930/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,930/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,124 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $116,496 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,930/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,930/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,968 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $24,276/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,499/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,853/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,355/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,830/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $25,658 | $26,078 |
The Risk Factor
65.3% of students at John Paul the Great Catholic University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 35% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
John Paul the Great Catholic University gives you a weak-to-mixed financial return. You pay about $29,000 a year net, graduate with debt near $27,000, and land at median earnings under $57,000 after ten years. That median clears the debt, but it leaves little margin, and the one program with reported earnings data drags hard in the wrong direction.
The film, video, and photographic arts bachelor's is the school's signature offering, and its graduates report roughly $26,000 a year in early earnings against nearly the same amount in debt. You would be borrowing about a dollar for every dollar of first-year income. In the San Diego and Escondido job market, entry-level film and media work is freelance-heavy and competitive, so those earnings can stay flat for years. If film is why you are here, go in knowing the money does not add up for most of the people who finished before you.
The specific risk is concentration. This is a small Catholic university built around film, media, and business, and only one program has salary data to check. A 70% retention rate means nearly a third of your entering class does not return for a second year, and dropping out with debt and no degree is the worst financial outcome here.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay around $24,000 to $26,000. Above $75,000, your price jumps past $32,000, and over $110,000 it hits nearly $36,000. Lower-income families get the better deal here.
This school fits you if the Catholic mission and film program are the reason you are choosing college, and you can limit borrowing. If you are picking a school on earnings alone, the numbers point you elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Paul the Great Catholic University worth the cost?
With graduates earning $56,930 ten years after enrollment and typical debt of $26,968, the financial return is modest. The debt-to-income ratio is manageable, but earnings are below national averages for college graduates.
What programs at John Paul the Great Catholic University have the best ROI?
Film, Video and Photographic Arts programs dominate the curriculum but show concerning earnings of just $25,658 annually. This creates a challenging financial outlook given the school's $29,124 annual net price.
How much debt do John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates typically have?
Typical graduates carry $26,968 in student loan debt. While this amount is below the national average, it represents nearly half of what graduates earn in their first decade after school.
Does John Paul the Great Catholic University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $29,124 suggests moderate financial aid availability. However, with a 65% graduation rate, about one in three students don't complete their degree, making the investment particularly risky.