At $18,467/yr net price, Saint Leo University graduates earn $48,364/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,364/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,467 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,868 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,364/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,364/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,278 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,216/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,891/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,642/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,839/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,342/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $59,895 | |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $59,124 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $58,866 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $56,918 | $56,375 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $55,770 | $33,626 |
| Education, General. | Master | $54,948 | $51,901 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $53,775 | $41,000 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other. | Master | $53,358 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $52,299 | $51,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $51,690 | $56,375 |
The Risk Factor
48.8% of students at Saint Leo 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
Saint Leo University's financial picture is mixed and leans risky. You pay a net price near $18,500 a year, and ten years out the median graduate earns around $48,000. That gap is manageable only if you finish and pick the right major. A 48.8% graduation rate and a 57.8% retention rate mean nearly half of enrolled students leave without the degree, and you can be stuck with debt and no credential to pay it off. That is the single biggest risk here.
Major choice decides everything at Saint Leo. Management Information Systems pays the most, and Computer and Information Sciences follows close behind, though the latter carries the heaviest debt load on the list at over $33,000. Accounting is the strongest value play: solid pay against debt in line with the school median. Business/Commerce and Business Administration sit lower on earnings, and Business Administration graduates carry more debt than accounting graduates while earning less. If business is your path, accounting or MIS beats general management on the math.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families here. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay less than students in every higher bracket, and the price climbs steadily as income rises to over $23,000 for families above $110,000. Aid compresses the cost more at the bottom than at the top.
Saint Leo fits you if you enroll in MIS, computer science, or accounting and are confident you will graduate. Look elsewhere if you are drawn to general business, unsure about finishing, or need a high salary to service loans. The retention numbers say too many students here do not make it to a degree, and that is where the money is lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Leo University worth the cost?
Saint Leo University's graduates earn a median of $48,364 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates nationwide. With a net price of $18,467 annually and median debt of $25,278, the financial return is modest but manageable for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at Saint Leo University?
Business and technology programs offer the best ROI at Saint Leo University, with general business graduates earning around $59,895 and computer science majors earning $55,770. These programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings average.
How much debt do Saint Leo University graduates typically have?
Saint Leo University graduates carry a median debt of $25,278, which is reasonable compared to many private universities. However, with graduate earnings of $48,364, it may take longer to pay off loans compared to higher-earning programs.
What is Saint Leo University's graduation rate and job outcomes?
Saint Leo University has a 48.8% graduation rate, meaning about half of students don't finish their degree. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor that potential students should weigh against the school's costs and benefits.