Molloy University
Rockville Centre, New York · Private Nonprofit · 81.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 82/100 · Strong Value
Molloy University scores 82 (Strong Value) on CampusROI, powered primarily by its large and high-earning nursing program and a 5.5-year payback period. Median 6-year earnings of $55,400 look strong relative to the private nonprofit average, though they reflect significant nursing enrollment weighting. The 69.9% completion rate is adequate but not exceptional for a private institution. Median debt of $27,000 against earnings of $55,400 produces a manageable 0.487 debt-to-earnings ratio. Molloy is a small private university (3,162 students) in Rockville Centre on Long Island, with SAT mid-ranges of 548-650 Math and 540-640 Reading. The 81.7% admission rate signals selective-but-accessible. The program-level data reveals a bifurcated institution: nursing and allied health programs produce strong outcomes while non-clinical programs (Biology, Psychology, Drama) carry F-grade ROI due to high debt against low starting earnings. The 33.7% Pell grant rate indicates meaningful socioeconomic diversity. For students targeting nursing or allied health, Molloy's suburban New York location and clinical partnerships make it a viable option. For students in arts, communications, or social sciences, the debt-to-earnings ratios warrant careful consideration.
Molloy University scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Molloy University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $39,790/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $39,790/yr |
| Average net price | $24,347/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $97,388 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $77,789 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $55,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 69.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,162 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Molloy University is $39,790/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $24,347/year, or roughly $97,388 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,548/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,144/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $77,789 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.49 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $17,548 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,241 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,739 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,254 |
| $110,001+ | $30,144 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $17,548 net price per year at Molloy, or roughly $70,192 over four years. That's a meaningful commitment relative to the $55,400 median earnings, but the 5.5-year payback period softens it. Low-income students who enter nursing face the best financial outcome in the school. The 33.7% Pell rate indicates Molloy has experience supporting first-generation and lower-income students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $22,739; the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $28,254. The aid structure reduces sharply as income rises, leaving middle-income families in the higher portion of the band paying near full cost for a private Long Island education. At $28,254 per year, program choice matters significantly -- nursing at that price is supportable; theater or social sciences are harder to justify.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families over $110,000 pay $30,144 per year, about $121,000 all-in over four years. At a 5.5-year payback for the median graduate, the full-pay case is defensible for nursing or health programs. For students in lower-earning fields, a $121,000 total investment against starting salaries in the $17,000-$35,000 range represents a genuinely poor financial outcome.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Molloy University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $117,011 | B+ |
| Special Education and Teaching | $71,781 | - |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $34,822 | F |
| Psychology | $53,334 | F |
| Biology | $26,561 | F |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,820 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $71,097 | B |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $74,070 | B |
| Marketing | $62,286 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,878 | D |
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
Registered Nursing is Molloy's largest and strongest program: 366 graduates, $105,747 year-one earnings, $117,011 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.293 (ROI grade B+). Against median debt of $31,000, those numbers are well within standard repayment parameters. The Long Island nursing labor market is robust, with major health systems including Northwell Health and NYU Langone within commute distance. Molloy's nursing program has historically strong NCLEX pass rates. This single program anchors the institution's 82 ROI score.
Accounting
Accounting (16 graduates) earns $70,344 year-one and $92,683 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.384 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $27,000 is manageable against those earnings. Accounting graduates in metro New York have access to a deep professional services labor market. With a small cohort, Molloy's accounting pipeline is not high-volume, but the per-graduate outcomes are solid.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Drama/Theatre Arts (34 graduates) earns $17,050 year-one and $34,822 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.584 (ROI grade F). Median debt of $27,000 against $17,050 starting earnings means graduates face immediate debt stress. This program is the clearest financial risk at Molloy -- the cost of a private Long Island education for outcomes in a structurally low-wage field produces one of the weakest debt ratios in the school's portfolio. Students with serious theater interests should model this honestly.
Psychology
Psychology (31 graduates) earns $26,431 year-one and $53,334 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.022 (ROI grade F). Median debt of $27,000 against $26,431 starting salary produces a ratio that exceeds 1.0, meaning year-one earnings don't cover annual debt. The four-year trajectory to $53k requires most students to pursue graduate work to improve earnings -- adding further debt. Students targeting clinical or counseling psychology should plan for the full graduate school cost stack before committing.
Communication Disorders Sciences
Communication Disorders Sciences (24 graduates) reports $74,070 at year four (year-one not reported), with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.376 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $27,865 is reasonable against that trajectory. Speech-language pathology requires graduate-level certification in most clinical settings, so Molloy's undergrad outcomes reflect students who went on to master's programs and then entered the workforce. The four-year figure suggests those graduates are landing in clinical SLP roles in the New York metro area.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 70.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 71.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 73.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 81.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 548-650 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-640 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-28 |
| Enrollment | 3,162 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 33.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,277 |
At 81.7% admission, Molloy is accessible with competitive but not elite academic requirements. SAT mid-ranges of 548-650 Math and 540-640 Reading represent a solid college-ready band. ACT composite 22-28. The nursing program may have separate capacity constraints beyond the institutional admission threshold. Students applying for nursing should confirm program-specific admission requirements and cohort size, as nursing is the primary ROI driver and may be more competitive than the overall admission rate suggests.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Molloy's Scorecard peers include Adelphi University, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, The Catholic University of America, Thomas Jefferson University, and Regis University. Adelphi is the closest geographic and profile peer -- also a Long Island private nonprofit. Albany College of Pharmacy (ROI 94) outperforms Molloy significantly due to its pharmacy-focused earnings. Among this set, Molloy's 82 score is respectable and reflects the nursing program pulling institutional averages up. The Catholic University of America operates in a different market with different program mix.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molloy University (this school) | 82 | $24,347 | $77,789 |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| Thomas Jefferson University | 86 | $28,928 | $77,449 |
| Regis University | 81 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| The Catholic University of America | 77 | $29,561 | $73,250 |
| Adelphi University | 75 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
Who Thrives Here
Molloy admits 81.7% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 548-650 Math and 540-640 Reading, ACT 22-28. The school enrolls 3,162 students with a Pell grant rate of 33.7%, reflecting a diverse Long Island and metro New York student body. Students choosing Molloy primarily for its nursing and health programs are well-served by the data. Students drawn to arts, theater, or general social sciences face a different financial reality -- the Drama program carries an F-grade ROI with $27,000 in median debt against $17,050 starting earnings. Right fit depends heavily on program selection.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Molloy University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $24,347 per year ($97,388 over four years), graduates earn a median of $77,789 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.5 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 69.9% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $27,000 against $77,789 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.