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Saint Leo University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Saint Leo, FL · 6,721 students

The verdict

Saint Leo University charges a net price of $21,293/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $85,172. Graduates earn a median $48,364 ten years after entry, $4/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 21293 years — a 20-year net return of $-85,092, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Saint Leo University's 21293-year payback ranks #1,280 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 1% of them, and #40 of 166 in Florida.

Better ROI than 1% of US colleges#1,280 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$21,293
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$48,364
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
21293 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
78%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Saint Leo University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$21,293/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$85,172our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$48,364Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$4/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,278Scorecard, 2026
Payback21293 yrsour math
20-year net return$-85,092our 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.

Saint Leo University: frequently asked questions

Is Saint Leo University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Saint Leo University charges $21,293/yr after aid ($85,172 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $48,364 ten years out — $4/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 21293 years and returns $-85,092 net over 20 years, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone.
How long does a Saint Leo University degree take to pay off?
About 21293 years. We divide the $85,172 four-year net cost by the $4/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 Saint Leo University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $21,293/yr — about $85,172 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Saint Leo University compare to other Florida colleges?
It ranks #40 of 166 Florida colleges we track by payback. Its $48,364 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $21,293 net price is above the national median of $16,906.