Head-to-Head Comparison
Case Western Reserve University vs Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
- Case Western Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 21
- Saint Joseph's Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Case Western Reserve University achieves a higher graduation rate (87% vs 79%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,190 compared to Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689 for in-state paths. Students who choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,881 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Case Western
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
- Higher grad rate: 87% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $24,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 37% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Saint Joseph's
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,689, roughly $11,501 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Case Western graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); Saint Joseph's in Business & Marketing (39%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Case Western Reserve University over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. Median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment vs $86,881.
Pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over Case Western Reserve University. Net price $29,689 vs $41,190.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. 87% completion rate vs 79%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Case Western Reserve University and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia are close on paper, but Case Western Reserve University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Case Western Reserve University is the harder admit. It takes 37% of applicants, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 to 1,258.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Case Western Reserve University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,689, about $11,501 a year below Case Western Reserve University's $41,190. Graduates of Case Western Reserve University also borrow less: median debt of $24,000, against $25,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $46,004 before any change in aid. Choosing Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Case Western Reserve University graduates report median earnings of $87,989, compared with $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, Case Western Reserve University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.27x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Case Western Reserve University graduates a larger share of its students, 87% versus 79%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia to keep costs and debt down; pick Case Western Reserve University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia saves about $11,501 a year, yet Case Western Reserve University graduates earn $1,108 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Case Western Reserve University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia leans toward Business & Marketing, Health Professions. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,190 runs well above Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689.
- Business and consulting-track students: Case Western Reserve University has less business program depth, and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers the stronger options.
- Engineering-focused students: Case Western Reserve University has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 6,500 students and a 37% acceptance rate, Case Western Reserve University attracts those who are serious about their education and future. Here, students dive into strong programs in Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Business. The 87% graduation rate speaks volumes about the supportive environment that enables students to succeed academically and professionally.
Looking ahead, the earning potential for graduates is promising, with a ten-year median income of about $87,989. That’s a significant number, especially when we think about what it means for students entering the workforce. It’s not just about the degree but also how well it translates into financial stability and career advancement. While the school has an 18% Pell Grant rate, indicating that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, the return on investment seems solid based on those earnings.
When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid hovers around $41,190, which can feel daunting. However, the median debt for graduates is $24,000, suggesting that many students manage to graduate with a reasonable debt load. Those who thrive at Case Western tend to be motivated, goal-oriented individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and take advantage of the university's resources. This school seems like a good fit for students who are prepared to dive into a challenging academic environment while keeping an eye on their future careers.
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is a welcoming space for those looking to balance solid academics with a vibrant campus life. The acceptance rate of 89% suggests that we can expect a diverse group of students, many of whom are drawn to popular programs in Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Biology, Education, and Social Sciences. This mix means you'll find a community where collaboration and support thrive, making it a good fit if you're looking to dive deep into any of these fields.
Looking ahead, graduates from Saint Joseph's can anticipate a promising financial future. On average, alumni earn about $86,881 a decade after completing their studies, which is a solid return on investment considering the cost of education. Affordability is also a key factor here; the net price after aid stands at $29,689, and while some students do take on debt, with a median of $25,500, the earnings potential can help ease that burden for many.
In practical terms, students who tend to thrive at Saint Joseph's often embrace the collaborative atmosphere and are eager to engage with the community. The university supports a range of financial aid options, though it's worth noting that only 20% of students receive Pell Grants, meaning there’s a diverse economic mix on campus. This environment can be especially beneficial for those who are proactive about their education and seek to leverage the school's resources to create their own opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Case Western Reserve University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Ohio ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Case Western's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while Saint Joseph's leads with Business Administration (39%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Case Western) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Saint Joseph's).
The two schools feed different job markets. Case Western Reserve University is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia concentrates in Business & Marketing, Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Case Western
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Case Western Reserve University or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Case Western Reserve University is harder to get into, admitting 37% of applicants compared with 89% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which is more affordable, Case Western Reserve University or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,689 after aid versus $41,190 at Case Western Reserve University.
Do Case Western Reserve University or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn more?
Case Western Reserve University graduates earn more: median earnings of $87,989 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which has a better graduation rate, Case Western Reserve University or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Case Western Reserve University has the higher graduation rate, 87% versus 79%.
Should you choose Case Western Reserve University or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Case Western Reserve University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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