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Pace University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · New York, NY · 7,665 students

The verdict

Pace University charges a net price of $30,892/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $123,568. Graduates earn a median $70,378 ten years after entry, $22,018/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.6 years — a 20-year net return of $316,792, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Pace University's 5.6-year payback ranks #485 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 62% of them, and #56 of 203 in New York.

Better ROI than 62% of US colleges#485 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$30,892
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$70,378
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
5.6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
76%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Pace University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$30,892/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$123,568our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$70,378Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$22,018/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,250Scorecard, 2026
Payback5.6 yrsour math
20-year net return$316,792our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Pace University: frequently asked questions

Is Pace University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Pace University charges $30,892/yr after aid ($123,568 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $70,378 ten years out — $22,018/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 5.6 years and returns $316,792 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Pace University degree take to pay off?
About 5.6 years. We divide the $123,568 four-year net cost by the $22,018/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Pace University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $30,892/yr — about $123,568 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Pace University compare to other New York colleges?
It ranks #56 of 203 New York colleges we track by payback. Its $70,378 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $30,892 net price is above the national median of $16,906.