At $17,082/yr net price, St. Augustine College graduates earn $35,723/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,723/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,082 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $68,328 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,723/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,723/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 39.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $4,423 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,004/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,506/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,905/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,781/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $39,729 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $27,377 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $24,481 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $21,964 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,227 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $19,227 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $15,552 |
The Risk Factor
27.7% of students at St. Augustine College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
St. Augustine College leaves you in a tight spot financially. Ten years out, median earnings sit at $35,723 a year, which is barely above what many jobs require no degree at all pay in the Chicago area. The one bright spot is debt: a median of $4,423 is genuinely low, so you won't leave buried in loans even if the payoff is thin.
The named bachelor's programs pay poorly. Social work graduates earn about $27,377 and teacher education graduates about $24,481 a decade after enrolling. Both sit well below the school's overall median, which means these two fields drag your earnings down, not up. If you come here for social work or teaching specifically, expect a modest wage that mirrors those fields statewide.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Only 27.7% of students graduate, and 62.3% return after the first year, so a large share of you pay tuition without walking away with a degree. When your net price is roughly $17,000 a year and you don't graduate, that's money spent for no credential and no earnings bump.
Net price barely moves with income. Families under $30k pay about $17,004, and families at $75-110k pay $18,781. There's no meaningful discount at the low end, so if you're a lower-income family, this school costs about the same as it does for everyone else.
This school fits you if you need a local Chicago option, plan to work in social services or teaching, and want to avoid heavy debt. Look elsewhere if you're counting on strong earnings, since the graduation odds and the sub-$36,000 median earnings make the return weak for the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Augustine College worth the money?
St. Augustine College has mixed value with graduates earning $35,723 after 10 years, which is low compared to the $17,082 annual cost. The 27% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making it a risky investment for many.
What are the best paying programs at St. Augustine College?
Allied Health programs offer the strongest ROI at St. Augustine College, with graduates earning $39,729 annually. Social Work and Education programs pay significantly less at $27,377 and $24,481 respectively.
How much debt do St. Augustine College graduates have?
St. Augustine College graduates have relatively low median debt of $4,423, which helps offset the lower post-graduation earnings. However, this only applies to the 28% of students who actually graduate.
Should I attend St. Augustine College for liberal arts?
Liberal arts graduates from St. Augustine College earn just $19,227 annually, making it one of the lowest-paying programs at the school. Consider other institutions or career-focused programs if you're interested in this field.