St. Francis College
Brooklyn, New York · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 57/100 · Below Average Value
St. Francis College scores 57 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale, with $37,700 median 6-year earnings, a 9.2-year payback period, and a 54.6% completion rate. Located in Brooklyn Heights, New York, SFC is a small Catholic liberal arts institution with 1,684 undergraduates. The $18,129 net price is relatively affordable for a New York City private college, but program outcomes are mixed. Registered Nursing stands out: 56 graduates earning $81,263 year-one and $112,171 at year four with a B-grade ROI. Accounting shows strong four-year trajectory at $82,993 (15 graduates). Business Administration (49 graduates, $51,556 four-year) and Criminal Justice (36 graduates, $57,084 four-year) represent the largest programs by volume. Communication ($23,811 year-one, F-grade), Biology ($22,140 year-one, F-grade), and Psychology ($24,455 year-one) anchor the bottom. The 55.7% Pell grant rate makes SFC a genuine access institution for NYC-area low-income students. The institution's repayment rate of 66.6% is below average -- many graduates struggle with debt.
St. Francis College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $28,775/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $28,775/yr |
| Average net price | $18,129/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $72,516 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,099 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 54.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,684 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at St. Francis College is $28,775/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,129/year, or roughly $72,516 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,700/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,274/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $246 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $58,099 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 | $15,700 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,198 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,447 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,974 |
| $110,001+ | $22,274 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students from the 0-30000 bracket pay $15,700 per year -- $62,800 over four years. For nursing graduates earning $81,263 year-one, recovery from $62,800 takes under ten months. For the majority of SFC programs earning $28,000-$37,000 year-one, the recovery from $62,800 extends well over three years and stretches toward a decade total. Low-income students should compare SFC against CUNY, which charges half the price for many comparable programs.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $22,447 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $21,974 -- the latter actually lower than the lower-middle bracket, suggesting an irregular aid formula at this institution. Middle-income families should request individual award letters rather than relying on averages. At $87,796-$89,788 total cost, SFC's non-nursing program outcomes are difficult to defend relative to CUNY or SUNY alternatives.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $22,274 per year. SFC's high-income net price is essentially the same as its middle-income price -- aid does not discriminate much above the Pell-eligible range. At $89,096 over four years, SFC faces stiff competition from NYU, Fordham, and Manhattan College for full-pay families seeking private Catholic college options in New York.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at St. Francis College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $112,171 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $51,556 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,084 | D |
| Health Professions, Residency Programs | $59,885 | C |
| Biology | $42,222 | F |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $64,725 | B+ |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $43,735 | C |
| Accounting | $82,993 | - |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,805 | F |
| Psychology | $24,455 | F |
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 (56 graduates) earns $81,263 at year one and $112,171 at year four with $31,073 median debt and a 0.382 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade B). Nursing is SFC's strongest program -- year-one earnings in the NYC healthcare market are competitive, and the B-grade reflects a manageable debt structure relative to earnings. NYC nursing wages among the highest in the country drive this outcome.
Accounting
Accounting (15 graduates) shows $82,993 four-year earnings with no year-one data. No debt or ROI grade is available for this program. The four-year earnings figure suggests strong placement into New York's accounting sector for graduates who complete. The small cohort limits statistical confidence, but the NYC accounting market is one of the most remunerative in the country.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (36 graduates) earns $33,146 at year one and $57,084 at year four with $26,000 median debt and a 0.784 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade D). The D-grade reflects a slow earnings start. Four-year progression to $57,084 suggests career advancement into law enforcement, corrections, or legal services. At SFC's net price, the 9.2-year aggregate payback applies here -- a long road for a D-grade program.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (49 graduates) earns $28,763 year-one and $51,556 four-year with $25,680 median debt and a 0.893 debt-to-earnings ratio (ROI grade D). D-grade business outcomes at $18,129 net price are below average for NYC. CUNY's business programs -- particularly Baruch College -- deliver superior business outcomes at lower cost. SFC's business program is not a financially compelling choice by the data.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 59.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 57.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 64.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 1,684 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 55.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,548 |
No admission rate or test score data is available for St. Francis College. The institution likely functions as a broadly accessible option within its market. Students should focus their evaluation on financial aid award quality and whether their intended program's outcomes justify the $18,129 average net price relative to comparable CUNY campuses charging $7,000-$9,000 annually.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
SFC's Scorecard peers include Adelphi University, Albany College of Pharmacy, Misericordia University, College of Wooster, and Concordia College at Moorhead. Adelphi (Long Island, comprehensive, ~ROI 65) is a natural comparison -- similar market, similar price point, somewhat better overall outcomes. Among Brooklyn-area options, CUNY Brooklyn College provides a stark cost comparison: comparable program outcomes at half the net price. SFC's competitive advantage is its Catholic identity, small campus community, and Brooklyn Heights location for students who specifically want that combination.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Francis College (this school) | 57 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| Adelphi University | 75 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
| Concordia College at Moorhead | 57 | $24,902 | $59,317 |
| Misericordia University | 57 | $37,485 | $64,313 |
| The College of Wooster | 56 | $23,458 | $59,629 |
Who Thrives Here
SFC is a small Catholic college in Brooklyn Heights serving 1,684 undergraduates, many of whom are first-generation, low-income New York City students. No admission rate or test score data is reported. The 55.7% Pell rate and the Brooklyn location suggest a heavily commuter student body accessing affordable private college options in the outer boroughs. Students seeking a tight-knit Catholic community with access to the New York City job market will find SFC's location a real asset. Students in biology, communication, or general business should compare SFC's program outcomes against CUNY options before enrolling -- CUNY's system delivers comparable outcomes at lower cost for most of these programs.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for St. Francis College is mixed. At $18,129 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $58,099 ten years after entry - a payback period of 9.2 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $23,250 against $58,099 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.