At $18,740/yr net price, Niagara University graduates earn $56,196/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,196/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,740 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $74,960 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,196/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,196/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,475 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,441/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,613/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,100/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,369/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,715/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 | $69,854 | $26,211 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $54,644 | $28,641 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $53,497 | $20,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $46,478 | $34,325 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $41,007 | $23,658 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $40,813 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $39,369 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $24,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,848 | $19,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $34,526 |
The Risk Factor
70.2% of students at Niagara University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Niagara University gives you a solid but uneven financial return. With median earnings above $56,000 ten years out and debt near the amount of a single year's sticker price, the typical graduate comes out ahead. The 70% graduation rate and 81% retention matter here: you're more likely to finish and start earning than to drop out carrying loans with no degree.
Nursing is the clear payoff. It pays roughly $69,000 for graduates and stands nearly $30,000 above the next-best major. If you can get into and complete the nursing program, this school works financially, and Western New York's hospital demand supports those jobs locally.
The rest of the lineup is weaker. Accounting, computer and information sciences, business, and criminal justice all land in the $34,000 to $41,000 range. Those graduates carry debt in the low-to-mid $20,000s while earning less than half what nurses do. Criminal justice pays the least and lists no debt figure, so weigh that field carefully before borrowing for it. Computer science paying only $37,000 is a specific warning sign at this school.
Your net price depends heavily on income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $10,400 a year. over $110,000, you pay closer to $23,700. That lower tier makes nursing and accounting a reasonable bet even on modest income. At the top tier, the math only works comfortably for nursing.
Choose Niagara if you're set on nursing or want to graduate at a school where most students actually do. Look elsewhere if you're planning a business, computing, or criminal justice degree and would take on the full sticker price, because those salaries don't justify the cost the way nursing does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Niagara University worth the cost?
Niagara University's ROI depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn $69,854 annually while education majors start around $46,478, making the $25,475 median debt manageable for healthcare students but potentially burdensome for others.
What are the best paying majors at Niagara University?
Nursing programs at Niagara University offer the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning nearly $70,000 annually. Business and accounting majors earn in the mid-$50,000 range, while education graduates face lower starting salaries around $46,000.
How much debt do Niagara University graduates typically have?
Niagara University graduates leave with a median debt of $25,475. With a net price of $18,740 per year, most students can expect total debt under $30,000 if they graduate in four years.
Does Niagara University have good job prospects after graduation?
Niagara University's 70% graduation rate is below average for four-year colleges. However, nursing and business programs show solid earning potential, while the high acceptance rate of 89% suggests less selective admissions standards.