At $16,135/yr net price, Mount St. Joseph University graduates earn $51,509/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,509/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,135 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $64,540 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,509/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,509/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,827 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,206/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,412/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,526/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,001/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,642/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $71,686 | $97,414 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $58,131 | $47,495 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $42,123 | $36,964 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,821 | $29,750 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $36,941 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,281 | |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $33,281 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $19,000 |
The Risk Factor
54.7% of students at Mount St. Joseph 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
Mount St. Joseph University runs on nursing. A registered nursing degree here pays around $57,000 ten years out, and it's the one program that clearly clears the debt you take on to get it. Everything else on the list sits well below that line, and the gap is wide enough to change how you should think about attending.
Business administration graduates earn roughly $41,000 while carrying the heaviest debt load of any program listed, close to $30,000. That combination is the weakest deal on this campus. Design, health and physical education, and communication and media studies all land in the low-to-mid $30,000s. Those numbers barely move above what many people earn without a four-year degree, so borrowing $27,000 for them puts you in a tight spot for years.
The school's median debt of about $27,000 lines up almost exactly with nursing's payoff and works against every other major. If you enroll planning to do nursing and finish, the math works. If you're undecided or leaning toward the arts and communication programs, the return here is weak and you should price out cheaper options first.
The 54.7% graduation rate is the real risk. Nearly half of students don't finish in the measured window, and debt without a degree is the worst outcome available. A 76% retention rate means about one in four first-years don't return.
On price, families under $48,000 pay around $11,000 a year, less than the sticker net price. That tier makes a nursing degree here reasonable. Above $110,000, you pay over $22,000 a year, and only nursing justifies that outlay. If your student wants business, design, or communication and your income puts you in the top tier, look for a lower-cost school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount St. Joseph University worth the money?
Mount St. Joseph University offers decent value if you pursue nursing or rehabilitation programs, which lead to earnings of $57,000-$71,000. However, the overall 10-year earnings of $51,509 are below average for the debt load, and the 55% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at Mount St. Joseph University?
Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions top the list at $71,686 in median earnings, followed by nursing programs around $57,000-$58,000. Education and business majors earn significantly less at $40,000-$42,000.
How much debt do Mount St. Joseph University graduates have?
The median debt is $26,827, which is manageable if you graduate in a high-paying field like nursing or rehabilitation. For lower-earning majors like education or business, this debt level could be problematic given their $40,000-$42,000 earnings.
Does Mount St. Joseph University have good financial aid?
The net price of $16,135 per year is reasonable for a private university. However, with only 55% of students graduating and moderate post-graduation earnings, the financial aid doesn't fully offset the risk of not completing your degree.