Susquehanna University
#4 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania- Graduation Rate
- 78% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,723 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $28,819 F
- 68% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 81% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.4 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania.
Every $1 spent returns $13.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,425,973.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 51% more than the national college median.
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A 78% graduation rate — 36% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Susquehanna University Matters
Susquehanna University is a private liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 2,163
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 39
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Communications, Education
Why students choose Susquehanna University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 81% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1100–1300. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $28,819 a year after grants and scholarships — 68% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,723 ten years after enrolling — 51% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 90% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.76 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 81%, Susquehanna University is a solid choice for students looking for a welcoming environment where they can explore a variety of interests. Here, students dive into programs like Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical, Communications, Education, and Psychology. This diverse academic landscape appeals to those who want to engage deeply in their studies while being part of a close-knit community.
After graduation, Susquehanna alumni see a promising average earning of $61,723 after ten years in the workforce. This suggests that the education they receive translates well into career opportunities. Combining this with a relatively affordable net price of $28,819 means students can feel confident about their investment in education, especially when considering the job market outcomes.
When it comes to finances, graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable considering their earnings. The 25% of students receiving Pell Grants indicates that there is support available for those who need it. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a supportive educational setting and take advantage of the diverse academic offerings to prepare for their future careers.
Rankings
- #4 Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #7 Best Business Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #15 Best Education Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #23 Best Biology Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #32 Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania
- #32 Best Master's Programs in Pennsylvania
- #34 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #42 Best Psychology Colleges in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Susquehanna University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Susquehanna University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Susquehanna University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,232. The graduation rate is roughly 78%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Retention Rate
- 86%
- SAT Average
- 1232
- SAT Range
- 1100–1300
- ACT Range
- 21–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 64%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,249
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.38
- First-Gen Students
- 22%
- Applicants
- 6,375
- Admitted
- 4,889
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Susquehanna University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Susquehanna University is $59,850, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,819. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,757 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $59,850
- Out-of-State
- $59,850
- Avg Net Price
- $28,819
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 66%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,757
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,493
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,171
- Family Income $110K+
- $33,866
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Susquehanna University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Susquehanna University earn a median of $61,723, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,535
- 8 Years
- $56,149
- 10 Years
- $61,723
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (413)
- 72%
- 100% (413)
- 72%
- 100% (413)
- 72%
- 100% (413)
- 72%
How Susquehanna Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Susquehanna University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Susquehanna University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $28,819/year ($115,276 total). Graduates earn $61,723 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,541,249 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,425,973 (13.4× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 78% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $115,276
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,541,249
- Net Return
- $1,425,973
- ROI Multiple
- 13.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $28,819
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Susquehanna University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Susquehanna University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.73%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $113,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.73%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 21.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $113,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,415,308
- Investment Income
- $-23,934,836
Top Programs
The fields Susquehanna University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 30%
- Biology & Biomedical 12%
- Communications 11%
- Education 8%
- Psychology 6%
- English & Literature 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Social Sciences 6%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Susquehanna University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Susquehanna University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Susquehanna University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,232. The graduation rate is roughly 78%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Susquehanna University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Susquehanna University is $59,850, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $28,819. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,757 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Susquehanna University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Susquehanna University earn a median of $61,723, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Susquehanna University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Susquehanna University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.73%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $113,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Susquehanna University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Susquehanna University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Susquehanna University.
- DeSales UniversityCenter Valley, PA · Close peer72% grad $61,295 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights, OH · Close peer78% grad $62,860 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wheaton CollegeWheaton, IL · Close peer86% grad $63,756 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown, PA · Close peer77% grad $62,399 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN · Close peer73% grad $63,764 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St Bonaventure UniversitySaint Bonaventure, NY · Close peer68% grad $57,214 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Susquehanna University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Susquehanna University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note