At $30,525/yr net price, University of St Thomas graduates earn $73,739/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $39,739/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $30,525 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $122,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $73,739/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$39,739/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $26,922/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $27,049/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,471/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,807/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,192/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $101,300 | $61,317 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $88,527 | $42,843 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $80,124 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $75,204 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $73,321 | $22,454 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,686 | $26,122 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $70,456 | |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $69,897 | $18,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,101 | $27,000 |
| Business/Corporate Communications. | Master | $64,493 |
The Risk Factor
75.2% of students at University of St Thomas graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of St Thomas gives you a solid financial return for a private school in the Twin Cities. Median debt of $23,250 sits below median earnings of $73,739, so you should clear your loans without the debt swallowing your paycheck. A 75% grad rate and 86% retention mean most people who start here finish, which matters because dropping out with debt and no degree is the worst outcome.
The payoff concentrates in technical and business majors. Computer science and engineering top the earnings list, and management sciences pairs strong pay with the lowest debt of any listed program at $18,500. Finance sits at the bottom of the top five and carries higher debt for lower pay, so it's the weaker bet among the well-paying tracks. Any major not on this list has no earnings data here, so treat outcomes for humanities, education, or arts programs as unknown before you commit.
The main risk is the price. At over $30,000 a year net, this is a real bill, and the income tiers show why families in the middle should look closely. If your household earns under $75,000, you pay around $27,000. Cross into the $75,000-$110,000 band and it jumps to nearly $30,000. above $110,000 you pay $34,192. Aid barely scales with income until you hit the top brackets, so a middle-income family gets little relief.
This school fits you if you're heading into CS, engineering, or quantitative business and can manage roughly $30,000 a year. If you're aiming at a major with no listed earnings, or your family lands in the $75,000-$110,000 range where the price climbs without matching aid, compare the net cost against a state option before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of St Thomas worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of $30,525 and 10-year median earnings of $73,739, University of St Thomas graduates earn about 2.4 times their annual college costs. The relatively low median debt of $23,250 helps make the investment more manageable than many private universities.
Which University of St Thomas programs have the best return on investment?
Business Administration leads with $101,300 median earnings, followed by Computer Science at $88,527 and Mechanical Engineering at $80,124. Criminal Justice graduates earn $75,204, which is closer to the school average but still provides solid returns.
How much debt do University of St Thomas graduates typically have?
The median debt is $23,250, which is reasonable compared to many private colleges. With starting salaries in most programs exceeding $70,000, graduates can typically manage this debt load without major financial strain.
Does University of St Thomas provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
The net price of $30,525 suggests the school offers meaningful aid since the sticker price is higher. However, this is still expensive compared to public options, so aid effectiveness depends heavily on your family's financial situation.