At $23,901/yr net price, Long Island University graduates earn $59,950/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,950/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,901 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $95,604 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,950/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,950/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,577 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,478/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,355/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,734/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,590/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,036/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $113,045 | $137,530 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $109,986 | $20,500 |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | Master | $109,763 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $109,136 | $102,669 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $106,421 | $60,402 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $98,403 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $94,508 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $81,158 | $25,000 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $77,401 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $75,518 | $163,240 |
The Risk Factor
55.4% of students at Long Island 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
Long Island University gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns $59,950 after ten years against a net price near $24,000 a year, so debt at $23,577 stays close to one year of typical pay. That math works if you pick the right program and breaks down fast if you don't.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays roughly double what business administration graduates earn, and the $25,000 debt load is easy to service on that salary. Allied health lands in second place with strong pay. These two health programs are the reason to come to LIU for the money.
The business side is where the numbers turn cold. Business administration graduates earn about $40,000 while carrying debt into their careers, and accounting at $47,260 barely clears the median. Computer science sits in the middle at $50,439, which is soft for a tech field. If you enroll here for a business degree, you are paying private-school prices for public-school outcomes.
The main risk is the flat cost structure. LIU's net price barely drops for lower-income families, moving from about $29,000 at the top income tier to $20,478 for families under $30,000. That is only a $9,000 spread, so a low-income family still pays over $20,000 a year. A 55% graduation rate adds to the risk: if you take on debt and leave without the degree, you carry the cost with none of the earnings.
Come here if you are set on nursing or allied health, where the pay justifies the price at any income level. Look elsewhere if you want a business or general degree, or if your family income falls below $48,000, since the small aid discount leaves you paying nearly full freight for middling returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Island University worth the cost?
Long Island University's ROI depends heavily on your major, with pharmacy and nursing graduates earning over $100,000 while the overall median is only $60,000. The 55% graduation rate and $23,577 median debt suggest significant financial risk for many students.
What are the highest paying majors at Long Island University?
Allied health programs, pharmacy, and nursing at Long Island University produce the strongest earnings, with graduates making $105,000-$113,000 annually. These healthcare-focused programs justify the tuition cost better than most other majors at the school.
How much debt do Long Island University graduates have?
Long Island University graduates carry a median debt of $23,577, which is manageable for high-earning healthcare majors but problematic given the school's overall low graduation rate. Nearly half of students don't finish their degree but may still accumulate debt.
Does Long Island University have good job prospects after graduation?
Long Island University graduates earn a median $59,950 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates nationally. Job prospects are much stronger in the school's healthcare programs than in other fields.