College of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, Minnesota · Private Nonprofit · 91.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 66/100 · Fair Value
College of Saint Benedict (CSB) scores 66 (Fair Value), a borderline result for a private Catholic women's college in Saint Joseph, MN charging $55,756 in tuition and $26,640 average net price. Median 6-year earnings of $42,300 and an 8.7-year payback period are weak against a four-year cost of $106,560. The 77.1% completion rate is a genuine strength -- well above average. CSB's standout sub-score is repayment rate at 93%, meaning graduates who borrow manage their debt consistently well. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.637 (score 42) is the weakest link, driven by a high sticker price and moderate median earnings.
College of Saint Benedict
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $55,756/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $55,756/yr |
| Average net price | $26,640/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $106,560 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,260 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,944 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 77.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,370 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at College of Saint Benedict is $55,756/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $26,640/year, or roughly $106,560 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,981/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $33,660/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,944 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $63,260 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.64 - 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 | $12,981 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,791 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,378 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,039 |
| $110,001+ | $33,660 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income families (0-$30,000) pay $12,981 per year at CSB -- $51,924 over four years. Against $42,300 median 6-year earnings and an 8.7-year payback, the case is marginal even at this net price. However, CSB's 93% repayment rate and 77.1% completion rate suggest that students who enroll and complete do manage their debt. Low-income families should compare this cost against MNSCU schools and the University of Minnesota system before committing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $20,378 per year ($81,512 over four years) and the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $24,039 per year ($96,156 over four years). At these net prices, the payback against $42,300 median earnings extends to 10-12 years for average earners. Middle-income families benefit from CSB's strong completion rate, but the high cost for mid-program earners makes this a difficult financial case without a clear nursing or accounting track.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($110,000+) pay $33,660 per year -- $134,640 over four years -- approaching the full sticker cost. At that level, the financial case for CSB versus comparable Minnesota liberal arts institutions or in-state public flagships is very weak by the numbers. CSB's Catholic mission, small residential community, and coordinate structure with Saint John's are real differentiators that may justify the premium for families who prioritize that environment.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at College of Saint Benedict with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $84,492 | B |
| Biology | $60,050 | D |
| Psychology | $57,475 | C |
| Teacher Education | $51,487 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $64,430 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $78,901 | C+ |
| International Relations | $64,777 | D |
| Nutrition Sciences | $61,790 | D |
| Accounting | $87,159 | B |
| English Language and Literature | $51,753 | 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 CSB's best ROI program: 59 graduates, $75,656 at year one, $84,492 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.357 (ROI grade B). The B grade reflects solid earnings offset by $27,000 median debt -- the same debt level that appears across almost all CSB programs, suggesting limited differentiation in borrowing by major. Nursing graduates from CSB enter the strong Minnesota healthcare labor market, including the Mayo Clinic regional system and Twin Cities hospital networks. This is the clearest financial case for enrollment at CSB's price point.
Accounting
Accounting (10 graduates) earns $64,410 at year one and $87,159 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.418 (ROI grade B). Small graduate volume limits data reliability, but the 4-year trajectory is competitive for a regional liberal arts college. CSB accounting graduates likely place into mid-market audit, corporate finance, and regional CPA firms in the Twin Cities and upper Midwest. At a school where most programs cluster around C-grade debt-to-earnings, accounting stands out as genuinely strong.
Psychology
Psychology is CSB's largest non-nursing program by volume at 48 graduates, earning $41,029 at year one and $57,475 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.658 (ROI grade C). Against $26,640 net price over four years, the payback on a psychology degree from CSB is slow. Most bachelor's-level psychology graduates in this region enter human services, administrative, or entry-level counseling roles at $35,000-$45,000 before significant career progression. The C grade is consistent with that labor market reality.
Biology
Biology (50 graduates) earns $35,800 at year one and $60,050 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.754 (ROI grade D). The D grade at a $55,756 tuition school reflects the standard pattern of biology pre-med students who suppress year-one earnings by entering graduate or professional programs. If CSB biology graduates are largely bound for medical school, dental school, or graduate research, the 4-year earnings figure understates long-run outcomes. That context does not change the financial risk for the substantial share of biology graduates who do not proceed to graduate school.
Nutrition Sciences
Nutrition Sciences (11 graduates) earns $28,402 at year one and $61,790 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.936 (ROI grade D). The extreme gap between year-one and year-four earnings reflects a field where bachelor's-level graduates often start in low-paying dietetic internships or entry-level clinical positions before qualifying for registered dietitian credentials. The 4-year figure is more representative of the career arc, but the D-grade on debt-to-earnings against CSB's high price is a legitimate financial caution.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 91.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 93.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 92.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 95.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 91.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 483-590 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 565-643 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-27 |
| Enrollment | 1,370 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 19.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,135 |
CSB's 91.5% admission rate and ACT 20-27 range describe a largely non-selective process. SAT mid-ranges of 483-590 Math and 565-643 Reading are below-average nationally. The admissions experience emphasizes fit with the Catholic liberal arts mission over academic selectivity. Students admitted here should focus their evaluation on financial aid package quality and program alignment rather than treating admission itself as a differentiator.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CSB's Scorecard peers include Augsburg University, Bethany Lutheran College, Adventhealth University, Walla Walla University, and Gwynedd Mercy University. CSB (66) sits in the middle of this peer set of smaller faith-affiliated colleges. Its 93% repayment rate is the strongest differentiator -- substantially above what most peers in this category achieve. However, at $26,640 net price and $55,756 sticker tuition, CSB is one of the more expensive options in this peer group. Its completion rate of 77.1% compares favorably to several peers. The school's financial challenge is delivering value at a price point that consistently outpaces its earnings outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Saint Benedict (this school) | 66 | $26,640 | $63,260 |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | 66 | $27,483 | $67,145 |
| AdventHealth University | 63 | $30,135 | $72,282 |
| Walla Walla University | 62 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
| Augsburg University | 53 | $23,873 | $58,829 |
| Bethany Lutheran College | 35 | $20,148 | $46,110 |
Who Thrives Here
CSB admits 91.5% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 483-590 Math and 565-643 Reading, ACT 20-27 -- accessible admissions for a private liberal arts college. Enrollment is small at 1,370, with 19.9% Pell grant recipients. CSB operates in a coordinate relationship with Saint John's University (men's college), sharing some faculty and programs. The residential, single-sex environment appeals to a specific student profile. Students seeking nursing, accounting, or business will find strong program-level outcomes; students entering biology, international relations, or nutrition face poor debt-to-earnings ratios against the school's high price.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
College of Saint Benedict offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $26,640 per year leads to $106,560 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $63,260 a decade out. The payback period of 8.7 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include a 77.1% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $26,944 against $63,260 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
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.