At $26,539/yr net price, Susquehanna University graduates earn $61,723/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,723/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,539 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $106,156 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,723/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,723/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 74.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,251/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,536/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,048/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,432/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,833/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $58,221 | $27,000 |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $54,661 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $47,846 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $46,478 | $27,000 |
| Business/Corporate Communications. | Bachelor | $44,170 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $43,426 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $39,927 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $27,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $37,424 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
74.1% of students at Susquehanna University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 26% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Susquehanna University gives you a solid but unspectacular financial return. A median $61,723 salary ten years out against a $27,000 debt load means you can pay off what you borrowed without wrecking your budget, and the 74% graduation rate tells you most people who enroll actually finish and start earning.
The payoff depends heavily on your major, and the business school carries this place. Accounting graduates out-earn every other listed program, and international business is not far behind. If you major in accounting or finance, you get a clear path to Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and mid-Atlantic corporate jobs that reward those degrees. Marketing and corporate communications sit at the bottom of the paid programs here, and you carry the same $27,000 debt for a smaller paycheck, so the math works against you if that is your track.
The real risk is retention. Roughly a quarter of your freshman class does not come back for year two. If you leave with debt and no degree, you get the worst outcome this school can hand you, and the earnings numbers above assume you finished.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay noticeably less than the sticker price, and the $48-75k band jumps back up. Over $110,000, you pay the most, and at that price a business-focused degree from a regional private school is a fair deal but not a bargain.
This school fits you if you want an accounting or finance degree and plan to work in the mid-Atlantic. Look elsewhere if you are aiming at marketing or communications and taking on the full debt load, or if you are unsure you will stay all four years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Susquehanna University worth the cost compared to other schools?
Susquehanna's graduates earn $61,723 ten years after graduation with median debt of $27,000, giving a reasonable debt-to-income ratio. The net price of $26,539 per year is high for a school with a 77% acceptance rate, but strong business programs help justify costs for students in those fields.
What majors at Susquehanna University provide the best return on investment?
Accounting graduates from Susquehanna earn $58,221 annually, making it the strongest ROI program at the school. International Business and Finance also perform well at $54,661 and $47,846 respectively, while Marketing and Communications majors see lower returns around $44,000-$46,000.
How much debt do Susquehanna University students typically graduate with?
Susquehanna students graduate with a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given the average post-graduation earnings of $61,723. This debt level represents about 44% of first-year earnings, falling within acceptable ranges for college debt.
Does Susquehanna University provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
With a net price of $26,539 after aid, Susquehanna provides some financial assistance but costs remain high relative to outcomes. Students should carefully evaluate aid packages, as the 74% graduation rate means about one in four students don't complete their degree.