Neumann University
Aston, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 81.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 44/100 · Poor Value
Neumann University, a Catholic Franciscan private-nonprofit in Aston, Pennsylvania, scores 44 overall -- Poor Value tier despite some defensible underlying metrics. Median earnings of $38,800 at six years climb to $57,817 by ten years, supporting an 11-year payback period -- which is actually competitive. The drag is debt: $27,000 median against the earnings curve yields a 0.696 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 29). Sticker tuition is $39,100, net price $27,804, four-year total cost $111,216 -- expensive for a regional Catholic college. Completion is 53.7% and repayment rate is 71% at three years -- both moderate. The 42.8% Pell rate signals a substantial need-based student body. The strongest argument for Neumann is its career-track programs: the Homeland Security/Law Enforcement program shows extraordinary outcomes ($125K first-year earnings), nursing pays $82K starting, and biology/accounting outcomes are solid. The overall score is dragged by the broader liberal-arts and business cohorts where high debt meets modest earnings.
The data raises concerns about Neumann University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score44/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Neumann University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $39,100/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $39,100/yr |
| Average net price | $27,804/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $111,216 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,817 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 11 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 53.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,533 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Neumann University is $39,100/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $27,804/year, or roughly $111,216 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $24,467/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $34,471/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 $57,817 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.70 - 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 | $24,467 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,150 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,679 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,495 |
| $110,001+ | $34,471 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $24,467 net -- substantial despite Pell. Four-year cost is around $97,900, against $57,817 in 10-year median earnings. Even at the best-priced bracket, four-year cost exceeds 10-year earnings by nearly $40K. The math only works for high-ROI program tracks (nursing, law enforcement).
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) pay $25,679 net, four-year cost about $102,700. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket actually pays slightly less ($23,150) than the under-$30K bracket -- a mild aid-cliff anomaly, likely from sample variance. The brackets otherwise march upward sensibly.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $30,495, while $110,000+ pays $34,471 -- still under the $39,100 sticker. Four-year cost at the top tier exceeds $137,000. For high-income families this is a substantial outlay for a regional Catholic college; only the strongest career-track programs justify the spend.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Neumann University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $98,754 | B |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $57,721 | D |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $140,283 | A |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $66,133 | D |
| Psychology | $40,632 | D |
| Special Education and Teaching | $54,846 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $58,579 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $60,851 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $46,653 | D |
| Accounting | $69,336 | - |
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.
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other
This is the standout program by a wide margin: 34 graduates earning $125,391 in year one and $140,283 by year four against just $18,664 in median debt -- a 0.149 ratio and A grade. The six-figure starting earnings strongly suggest graduates are entering federal law-enforcement and security agency roles with overtime, hazard, and locality premiums baked in. An anomalously strong career pipeline for a regional Catholic college.
Registered Nursing
Nursing produces 61 graduates earning $82,238 in year one and $98,754 by year four against $32,109 median debt -- a 0.390 ratio and B grade. Philadelphia-area healthcare (Penn Medicine, Main Line Health, Crozer-Keystone) pays strong starting wages, and the Catholic-college nursing track has deep employer relationships. A defensible nursing pipeline.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration produces 27 graduates earning $41,693 in year one and $66,133 by year four, against $30,600 median debt for a 0.734 ratio (D grade). Strong four-year earnings growth but elevated debt drags the ratio. The general business program lacks the career-track focus of the law-enforcement or nursing programs and shows the weaker median outcomes.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts produces 41 graduates earning $35,220 in year one and $57,721 by year four against $31,000 debt (0.880 ratio, D grade). Solid four-year growth signals graduates moving into career-track roles eventually, but the year-one earnings are weak and debt is high. Better suited as a transfer/pre-professional track than a terminal degree.
Special Education and Teaching
Special Education produces 20 graduates earning $42,488 in year one and $54,846 by year four against $27,000 debt (0.635 ratio, C grade). PA special-education teacher demand is strong and PSLF eligibility helps debt management. Solid mid-tier outcomes for a teaching credential at this price point.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 65.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 62.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 81.3% |
| Enrollment | 1,533 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 42.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,550 |
Neumann admits 81.3% of applicants -- broadly accessible. SAT and ACT scores are not reported in current Scorecard data (the school has likely moved test-optional), so academic-profile signals are limited. The 53.7% completion rate is moderate for a regional Catholic college. Without test scores it is hard to read selectivity beyond the headline rate; prospective students should evaluate program-specific fit (especially nursing and law enforcement) rather than overall academics.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Neumann's peers include Bryn Athyn College (a niche Swedenborgian school -- not a strong comparator), Albright College (Reading-area Methodist liberal arts), Grace College (IN evangelical), Felician University (NJ Catholic), and Nichols College (MA business-focused). The most direct comparator is Felician -- similar mission, similar scale, similar outcomes. Against this peer band Neumann's 44 score is mid-pack. Albright and Nichols tend to score similarly; Grace and Bryn Athyn vary widely.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neumann University (this school) | 44 | $27,804 | $57,817 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Nichols College | 45 | $33,036 | $58,063 |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary | 44 | $19,932 | $45,411 |
| Felician University | 40 | $40,045 | $57,602 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
Neumann fits Greater Philadelphia students drawn to a 1,533-student Catholic Franciscan environment with strong nursing, law-enforcement, and education pipelines. Pell rate of 42.8% indicates a substantial first-generation and need-based cohort. The institution serves the Delaware County labor market effectively in healthcare and public-safety roles. Best fit: future nurses, police/fire/security professionals, special-education teachers. Weaker fit: students seeking liberal-arts breadth or strong business-school placement.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Neumann University. With a net cost of $27,804 per year and median graduate earnings of only $57,817 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 weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $27,000 against $57,817 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.