Head-to-Head Comparison
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia vs University of San Francisco
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
- Saint Joseph's Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 21
- San Francisco Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,689 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. 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
Saint Joseph's
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,689, roughly $11,742 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 79% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 62% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Saint Joseph's graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (39% of degrees); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). 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 University of San Francisco over Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $86,881.
Pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over University of San Francisco. Net price $29,689 vs $41,431.
Pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over University of San Francisco. 79% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia and University of San Francisco are close on paper, but University of San Francisco wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of San Francisco is the harder admit. It takes 62% of applicants, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,258 to 1,295.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of San Francisco 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 $11,742 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of University of San Francisco also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $25,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $46,968 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, University of San Francisco graduates report median earnings of $89,812, compared with $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of San Francisco has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates a larger share of its students, 79% versus 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 9% 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 University of San Francisco 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 $11,742 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $2,931 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. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while University of San Francisco leans toward Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Saint Joseph's competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,431 runs well above Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689.
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
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.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Education ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 39% of Saint Joseph's's student body and 18% of San Francisco's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Saint Joseph's) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Social Sciences. 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.
Saint Joseph's
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of San Francisco?
University of San Francisco is harder to get into, admitting 62% of applicants compared with 89% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which is more affordable, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of San Francisco?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,689 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which has a better graduation rate, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of San Francisco?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia has the higher graduation rate, 79% versus 71%.
Should you choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco 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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