University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 81.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 75/100 · Strong Value
University of Scranton (Scranton, PA) scores 75 (Strong Value) -- a solid result for a Jesuit private university charging $53,983 sticker tuition. Median 6-year earnings of $47,400 and a 6.8-year payback period are respectable for a school in northeastern Pennsylvania. The 79.8% completion rate and 84.9% repayment rate are genuine strengths. Nursing and Kinesiology lead on ROI; Accounting and Finance produce strong B-grade outcomes. Biology, Philosophy, and Criminal Justice show D-grade outcomes; Neurosciences hits F. The overall profile shows a school where professional programs perform well and liberal arts deliver mixed-to-weak financial returns.
University of Scranton scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Scranton
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $53,983/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $53,983/yr |
| Average net price | $32,568/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $130,272 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,652 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $47,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 79.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,554 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Scranton is $53,983/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $32,568/year, or roughly $130,272 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $23,896/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $39,348/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 $74,652 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.57 - 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 | $23,896 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,407 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,912 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,482 |
| $110,001+ | $39,348 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income families (under $30,000) pay $23,896 per year -- roughly $96,000 over four years. This is a significant commitment for low-income families at a private university. Nursing and accounting students who complete will recover this cost within a reasonable timeline. Most other programs at this price point represent a difficult financial proposition for low-income families.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $23,912 and the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $29,482 per year. Middle-income families at Scranton face net prices close to the institutional average of $32,568. The 6.8-year payback period assumes successful completion in professional programs; the payback extends considerably in lower-earning fields.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $39,348 per year -- about $157,000 over four years. Against $47,400 median earnings, the financial case depends entirely on program. Accounting and nursing graduates will have strong financial returns; liberal arts and social science students will have extended payback periods at this price.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Scranton with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $105,353 | B+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $100,962 | C+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $79,700 | B+ |
| Biology | $64,774 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $80,611 | C+ |
| Accounting | $93,677 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $63,483 | D |
| Philosophy | $63,410 | D |
| Psychology | $54,088 | D |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $25,057 | 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 (80 graduates) earns $82,895 at year one and $105,353 at year four with a B+ grade and 0.326 debt-to-earnings ratio. Northeastern PA's hospital systems -- Geisinger, Lehigh Valley Health Network -- provide strong placement infrastructure. At $27,000 median debt and Scranton's net price, nursing is the clearest financial case at the school.
Accounting
Accounting (43 graduates) earns $70,453 at year one and $93,677 at year four with a B grade and 0.383 debt-to-earnings ratio. Scranton's accounting program feeds into Philadelphia and New York City public accounting firms, and year-one earnings of $70,453 are strong for a northeastern PA private university. The four-year trajectory to $93,677 reflects promotions and CPA track advancement.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (72 graduates) earns $56,978 at year one and $100,962 at year four with a C+ grade and 0.474 debt-to-earnings ratio. The four-year jump from $57k to $101k is large, likely reflecting graduates who enter financial services firms in New York or Philadelphia with strong career progression. The C+ grade reflects year-one earnings that trail the private school price, but the four-year picture is strong.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology (66 graduates) shows $79,700 at year four with a B+ grade and 0.339 debt-to-earnings ratio. This is a notably strong outcome for a kinesiology program -- the figure likely reflects graduates in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or physician assistant programs affecting the cohort's four-year earnings. Year-one data is unavailable.
Psychology
Psychology (34 graduates) earns $33,290 at year one and $54,088 at year four with a D grade and 0.785 debt-to-earnings ratio. Year-one earnings of $33,290 at a private school charging $32,568 net price per year leave no financial margin. Students who plan to proceed to graduate programs after psychology should factor those costs into total educational debt.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 83.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 85.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 88.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 81.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-658 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-660 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-30 |
| Enrollment | 3,554 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,510 |
At 81.2% acceptance with ACT mid-range of 25-30, Scranton is broadly accessible for students with above-average academic preparation. The Jesuit identity shapes curriculum expectations -- students will encounter philosophy and ethics requirements regardless of major. Scranton competes directly with other Jesuit universities in the Northeast (Fordham, St. Joseph's, Marquette) and regionally with Penn State branch campuses. Net price comparison across this set is essential.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Scranton's peer schools include The Catholic University of America and Bradley University. Among Jesuit universities in the Northeast, Scranton (75, Strong Value) delivers a solid ROI relative to its price tier. Its 79.8% completion rate is the strongest sub-score and differentiates it from peers with lower graduation rates. Comparable schools like Fairfield University and Saint Joseph's University should be included in any direct applicant comparison, particularly for accounting and nursing programs.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Scranton (this school) | 75 | $32,568 | $74,652 |
| The Catholic University of America | 77 | $29,561 | $73,250 |
| Bradley University | 75 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| New York Institute of Technology | 73 | $22,443 | $70,080 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
Scranton admits 81.2% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 570-658 Math and 590-660 Reading, ACT 25-30 composite. At 3,554 undergraduates with a 24.1% Pell grant rate, the school draws from northeastern PA, New Jersey, and the New York metro area. Students committed to nursing, accounting, or business will find programs that justify the private school cost. Pre-health students intending medical school should be aware that biology produces D-grade near-term earnings -- manageable if graduate training follows, but a real cost.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Scranton delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $32,568 per year ($130,272 over four years), graduates earn a median of $74,652 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.8 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: a 79.8% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $27,000 against $74,652 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.