Barry University
Miami, Florida · Private Nonprofit · 77.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 42/100 · Poor Value
Barry University earns a Poor Value tier with an overall ROI score of 42 out of 100 -- a result driven by two specific weaknesses: a 37.9% completion rate (sub-score 18) and a punishingly low 51.1% three-year repayment rate (sub-score 9). On the positive side, Barry's earnings outcomes are reasonable: median 10-year earnings of $55,966 produce a 23.2% premium over high school graduates, the payback period is a fairly contained 11 years, and the 0.618 debt-to-earnings ratio is in the middle of the distribution. Tuition is $34,350 per year, the average net price is $22,613, and the four-year total cost lands at $90,452. Median debt is $26,997. The retention story is the central concern: nearly two-thirds of students who enroll at Barry never finish, and among those who borrow, roughly half are not making meaningful progress on their loans within three years. Barry is a Catholic university in Miami with strong nursing and health sciences programs, and graduates of those programs do quite well -- but the institution-wide outcomes are dragged down by completion attrition.
The data raises concerns about Barry University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score42/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate37.9% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Barry University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $34,350/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,350/yr |
| Average net price | $22,613/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $90,452 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,966 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $43,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,997 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 11 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 37.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,212 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Barry University is $34,350/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,613/year, or roughly $90,452 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $20,804/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,180/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,997 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,966 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.62 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,804 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,485 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,524 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,690 |
| $110,001+ | $29,180 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $20,804 per year, while $30,001-$48,000 pays $21,485 and $48,001-$75,000 pays $21,524 -- the aid curve is fairly flat across these brackets, suggesting Barry provides limited need-based discounting beyond Pell. Over four years that's roughly $83,000 -- substantial for low-income families, though Pell may offset some of this. The 37.9% completion rate is the main risk for this group.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($75,001-$110,000) pay $25,690 per year. Over four years that's roughly $103,000 -- a serious financial commitment, especially given weak overall completion. Middle-income families targeting Nursing or health sciences can defend the math; for general business or liberal arts, Florida public universities are clearly stronger value choices.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning above $110,000 pay $29,180 per year, or roughly $117,000 over four years. At this near-sticker price, Barry is hard to justify financially unless the student is firmly committed to one of the high-ROI health programs and values the Catholic mission. UM (Miami) is more selective but more expensive; FIU and FAU offer comparable Miami-area access with substantially better cost math.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Barry University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $93,608 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,210 | C |
| Biology | $60,471 | D |
| Psychology | $44,016 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $65,951 | C |
| Public Administration | $97,702 | B+ |
| Political Science and Government | $51,180 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $47,019 | - |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $89,971 | C |
| Social Work | $61,820 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is Barry's largest and most defensible program with 131 graduates per year. Median earnings of $81,868 first year and $93,608 by year four against $31,000 of debt produce a 0.379 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B ROI grade. For a school with a 42 institutional score, this program dramatically outperforms the average. Miami's massive healthcare labor market makes this credential immediately valuable -- this is the single strongest reason to attend Barry.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business graduates 76 students per year with a C ROI grade. Median earnings of $54,266 first year and $64,210 by year four against $31,733 of debt produce a 0.585 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings reflect the Miami business labor market reasonably well; the relatively heavy debt prevents this from clearing into B territory. Reasonable if cost is heavily discounted; otherwise FIU offers better math.
Biology
Biology graduates 40 students per year with a D ROI grade. Median earnings of $32,556 first year against $30,500 of debt produce a 0.937 debt-to-earnings ratio. As is typical for biology bachelor's, students need graduate or professional school to capture the field's earnings; the bachelor's alone produces weak outcomes. Barry biology students should be on a firm pre-med, pre-PA, or pre-grad-school trajectory.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 36 students per year with a D ROI grade. Median earnings of $27,743 first year against $26,875 of debt produce a 0.969 debt-to-earnings ratio -- nearly a dollar of debt for every dollar of first-year earnings. Students need to plan for graduate school; the bachelor's alone is not financially viable at Barry's price point.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Allied Health is Barry's standout program with extraordinary outcomes: median first-year earnings of $144,190 (this likely reflects clinical doctorate or graduate-level certifications captured in the data) and four-year earnings of $134,968. Against $31,250 of debt, the 0.217 debt-to-earnings ratio earns an A ROI grade. With just 10 graduates per year this is a small specialized track, but for the right student it represents one of the best value plays in the Miami metro.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 41.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 51.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 50.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 58.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.2% |
| Enrollment | 2,212 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 39.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,861 |
Barry admits 77.2% of applicants. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported in current Scorecard data, consistent with a private university that has likely shifted to test-optional admissions. The 37.9% completion rate is the bigger story -- Barry serves a heavily Hispanic, working-class Miami student population, and the financial and academic pressures on these students lead to substantial attrition. Prospective students should ask serious questions about retention services and probe whether they have the financial cushion to weather four years.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Barry's named peers include Baptist University of Florida, Bethune-Cookman University (an HBCU), Concordia University Wisconsin, University of Mount Union, and Ashland University. Among these, Mount Union and Ashland (small Ohio liberal arts) post stronger ROI given better completion rates. Bethune-Cookman shares Barry's challenge with completion. Barry's 42 score sits in the middle of this peer band; the Allied Health (A grade) and Public Administration (B+ grade) standout programs are not typical of peer institutions and represent genuine strengths.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University (this school) | 42 | $22,613 | $55,966 |
| Ashland University | 47 | $21,988 | $52,928 |
| University of Mount Union | 44 | $23,280 | $53,217 |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | 43 | $36,201 | $56,075 |
| Baptist University of Florida | 31 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | 9 | $12,030 | $38,518 |
Who Thrives Here
Barry fits Miami-area students drawn to a Catholic mission with health sciences strengths. Enrollment is 2,212, the Pell rate is 39.1% (heavily working-class), and the school's 131-graduate Nursing program is a major regional pipeline. Strong-fit students: those targeting Nursing, Allied Health, Public Administration, or Social Work and able to leverage Miami's substantial healthcare employer base. Weak-fit students: those drifting into Liberal Arts (F grade), Psychology, or general Biology, where the program-level ROI math is poor. The 51% repayment rate is a serious flag; many graduates struggle financially even after completing.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Barry University. With a net cost of $22,613 per year and median graduate earnings of only $55,966 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 11 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 37.9% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $26,997 against $55,966 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.