The College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, Minnesota · Private Nonprofit · 93.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 74/100 · Fair Value
The College of Saint Scholastica scores 74 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. A net price of $27,846 against $48,600 in median 6-year earnings produces an 8.1-year payback and a 0.412 debt-to-earnings ratio. The repayment rate of 83.3% and 70.5% completion rate are both above average. The institution's Catholic Benedictine identity grounds a health-sciences-focused curriculum. Registered Nursing dominates by volume: 304 graduates, $75,499 year-one, $85,824 at year four (ROI grade B, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.411). Physiology (34 graduates, ROI grade B+), Computer and Information Sciences (15 graduates, $60,845 year-one, ROI grade B), Accounting (18 graduates, $55,688 year-one, ROI grade B), and Finance (11 graduates, $52,677 year-one, ROI grade B) round out the stronger programs. Social Work (44 graduates, ROI grade D) and Biology (50 graduates, ROI grade D) carry weaker financial returns for programs with significant enrollment. The $20,000 median debt is lower than most private-school peers, a genuine positive.
The College of Saint Scholastica
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $41,778/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $41,778/yr |
| Average net price | $27,846/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $111,384 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,934 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $48,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $212 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 70.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,765 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at The College of Saint Scholastica is $41,778/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $27,846/year, or roughly $111,384 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $14,433/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $36,051/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $212 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $65,934 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.41 - 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 | $14,433 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,420 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,562 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,047 |
| $110,001+ | $36,051 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $14,433 per year — the most aggressive need-based pricing in CSS's schedule. Four-year cost around $57,700 against $48,600 median 6-year earnings is manageable, particularly for nursing students who will earn $75k immediately after graduation. Low-income nursing students at CSS have a genuinely favorable financial trajectory.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $23,562, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $26,047. Four-year costs of $94,000-$104,000 are significant for a regional private. Middle-income families should evaluate program-specific outcomes carefully; nursing justifies these costs, but social sciences and humanities programs do not based on the Scorecard data.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $36,051 per year. Four-year cost around $144,000 is substantial for a regional private with median earnings of $48,600. Full-pay attendance makes financial sense primarily for nursing and allied health students whose immediate earnings justify the investment.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at The College of Saint Scholastica with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $85,824 | B |
| Psychology | $58,255 | D |
| Biology | $53,730 | D |
| Social Work | $55,743 | D |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $74,020 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,192 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $47,432 | C |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $71,540 | C+ |
| Accounting | $69,762 | B |
| Human Resources Management | $59,797 | 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
Registered Nursing is CSS's backbone program: 304 graduates, $75,499 year-one, $85,824 at year four, ROI grade B, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.411 with $31,000 median debt. The 304-graduate volume is very large for a school of 1,765 students, indicating CSS is substantially a nursing institution. Duluth's healthcare market provides strong employment. The $31,000 median debt is elevated compared to public nursing programs but the year-one earnings of $75k make it manageable. Nursing at CSS drives the entire institutional ROI.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences shows 15 graduates with $60,845 year-one and $82,175 at year four, ROI grade B, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.411 with $25,000 median debt. A small but creditable program. The outcomes are solid for a small private school in Duluth: $61k starting, growing to $82k at four years. Students who want CS training in a health-sciences environment may find CSS's health informatics adjacent tracks valuable.
Accounting
Accounting produces 18 graduates with $55,688 year-one and $69,762 at year four, ROI grade B, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.395 with $22,000 median debt. Low debt against $56k starting earnings is a financially sound outcome for a regional private. Accounting graduates here enter regional public accounting and finance roles in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. The modest cohort size limits statistical confidence but the trajectory is credible.
Social Work
Social Work enrolls 44 graduates with a D ROI grade: $45,371 year-one, $55,743 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.817 with $37,059 median debt. The $37,059 median debt is the highest of any CSS program and substantially offsets the year-one earnings advantage. Social work wages are constrained by sector funding structures; graduating with $37k in debt against $45k in starting wages in a regional Minnesota market is financially stressful. Students committed to social work should seek programs with lower debt loads.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 75.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 81.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 93.0% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 1,765 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,589 |
Saint Scholastica admits 92.9% of applicants and Scorecard does not report SAT ranges. ACT composite 19-25 is the reported range. Admission is broadly accessible. The academic bar is not a primary filter; fit with the health-sciences orientation and Benedictine community values is more relevant to student success.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CSS's peer set includes Augsburg University, Bethany Lutheran College, Ursinus College, La Salle University, and Wagner College. Among Minnesota private colleges, CSS's heavy nursing orientation distinguishes it from liberal arts peers like Bethany Lutheran. Wagner College (New York) has similar nursing volume and ROI score (76 vs. CSS's 74). Augsburg (Minneapolis) competes in the same regional market with a more diverse program mix. CSS's $20,000 median debt is notably low relative to most peers at this tuition level.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| The College of Saint Scholastica (this school) | 74 | $27,846 | $65,934 |
| Wagner College | 76 | $28,241 | $74,360 |
| La Salle University | 73 | $19,409 | $67,416 |
| Ursinus College | 72 | $30,536 | $73,721 |
| Augsburg University | 53 | $23,873 | $58,829 |
| Bethany Lutheran College | 35 | $20,148 | $46,110 |
Who Thrives Here
Saint Scholastica admits 92.9% of applicants. Scorecard does not report SAT ranges; ACT composite mid-range is 19-25. Enrollment is 1,765. The Pell grant rate of 24.8% reflects a mixed economic profile. CSS serves primarily Minnesota and Wisconsin students, many of whom are drawn to health sciences and education programs. The Duluth location is important context: students committing to CSS are committing to a specific regional labor market with strong healthcare employment in the Twin Ports region. The low debt load ($20,000 median) is an institutional positive.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
The College of Saint Scholastica offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $27,846 per year leads to $111,384 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $65,934 a decade out. The payback period of 8.1 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: a 70.5% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $20,000 against $65,934 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.