At $27,075/yr net price, Saint Louis University graduates earn $70,783/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $36,783/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,075 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $108,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $70,783/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$36,783/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 79.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,869/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,738/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,950/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,695/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,177/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry. | Master | $174,023 | |
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Master | $122,038 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $114,892 | |
| International Business. | Master | $109,763 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $108,649 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $92,243 | $65,361 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $88,904 | $46,053 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $85,391 | $107,293 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $78,343 | $61,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,446 |
The Risk Factor
79.8% of students at Saint Louis University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 20% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Saint Louis University runs a solid financial return. You pay $27,075 a year net, and ten years out the median graduate earns $70,783. The $25,000 median debt sits below what many private schools leave you carrying, and a 79.8% grad rate plus an 88.73% retention rate mean most people who start here finish and finish on time. Both of those protect you from the worst ROI outcome: paying for years of tuition and walking away with no degree.
The payoff concentrates in engineering. Electrical engineering leads at $73,446, with mechanical, aerospace, and computer science all clustered in the mid-$60,000s. These are the majors where the SLU price makes clean financial sense. Nursing pays $59,004 but carries the lowest debt of the listed programs at $22,002, so the return holds up even with a smaller starting salary. If you're aiming at engineering, computing, or nursing here, the numbers work.
The risk is what isn't on this list. Only STEM and nursing program earnings are shown, so if you enroll in a humanities, arts, or social science major, you're paying private-school tuition without any earnings data to back the decision. The regional St. Louis market rewards engineering and healthcare, which is exactly where SLU's strong programs point.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay around $20,800, a real discount off sticker. Above $110,000, you pay $33,177, the full weight of a private education. Middle-income families in the $75,000 to $110,000 band pay $26,695 and get the least relief per dollar earned.
SLU is a good fit if you're headed into engineering, computing, or nursing, especially at a lower income. If you're chasing a lower-paying major at the top net price, look harder before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Louis University worth the cost?
Saint Louis University graduates earn $70,783 annually after 10 years, which is solid but not exceptional for a private university costing $27,075 per year. The school's value depends heavily on your major, with dental and nursing programs offering much stronger returns than the average.
What are the best paying majors at Saint Louis University?
Dentistry leads at $174,023 annually, followed by advanced dental studies at $122,038 and nursing programs around $108,000-115,000. These healthcare programs justify the cost much better than other majors at the university.
How much debt do Saint Louis University students graduate with?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. With average earnings of $70,783 after graduation, most students should be able to handle their loan payments.
Does Saint Louis University have good financial aid?
The net price of $27,075 represents decent financial aid for a private university, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. However, you'll still pay significantly more than attending a public university in Missouri.