Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster

Open-data reference.

We found 15 schools structurally similar to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster that cost less. 15 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster

Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit

$42,478
Net Price
$86,881
Median Earnings (10yr)
41.2%
Acceptance Rate
67.7%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster

Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster posts an average net price of $42,478 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 15 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $26,329, achieved by Chamberlain University-Indiana at $16,149. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 15 of the 15 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster’s $86,881, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $99,065.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

15
Alternatives Found
$26,329
Max Savings
15
Better Value Options
64%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. Chamberlain University-New J $92k 2. Kettering University $95k 3. Albany College of Pharmacy a $131k 4. Chamberlain University-Flori $92k 5. West Coast University-Miami $103k Compared to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster: $87k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Chamberlain University-New Jersey
North Brunswick, NJ · Private For-Profit Better Value
$37,984 -$4,494 $92,405 N/A 64%
Kettering University
Flint, MI · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$34,660 -$7,818 $94,823 70.7% 56%
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Albany, NY · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$29,882 -$12,596 $131,426 68.2% 53%
Chamberlain University-Florida
Jacksonville, FL · Private For-Profit Better Value
$31,269 -$11,209 $92,405 N/A 53%
West Coast University-Miami
Doral, FL · Private For-Profit Better Value
$32,539 -$9,939 $102,672 N/A 52%
Chamberlain University-California
Rancho Cordova, CA · Private For-Profit Better Value
$36,559 -$5,919 $92,405 N/A 51%
Chamberlain University-Arizona
Phoenix, AZ · Private For-Profit Better Value
$40,096 -$2,382 $92,405 N/A 50%
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO · Private Nonprofit Better Value
$31,817 -$10,661 $137,047 68.5% 49%
Chamberlain University-Nevada
Las Vegas, NV · Private For-Profit Better Value
$27,073 -$15,405 $92,405 N/A 49%
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY · Public Better Value
$22,367 -$20,111 $95,951 69.5% 48%
Chamberlain University-Indiana
Indianapolis, IN · Private For-Profit Better Value
$16,149 -$26,329 $92,405 N/A 48%
Chamberlain University-Michigan
Troy, MI · Private For-Profit Better Value
$28,045 -$14,433 $92,405 N/A 48%
Chamberlain University-Missouri
St. Louis, MO · Private For-Profit Better Value
$30,716 -$11,762 $92,405 N/A 48%
Chamberlain University-Texas
Houston, TX · Private For-Profit Better Value
$32,209 -$10,269 $92,405 N/A 48%
Chamberlain University-Georgia
Sandy Springs, GA · Private For-Profit Better Value
$33,188 -$9,290 $92,405 N/A 48%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?
We found 15 schools similar to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster that cost less. The closest match is Chamberlain University-New Jersey with 64% similarity and a net price of $37,984.
What is the ROI of attending Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster has an average net price of $42,478. Former students earn a median of $86,881 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 2.0x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster for less money?
Yes - 15 of 15 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Chamberlain University-New Jersey costs $37,984 (saving $4,494) with median earnings of $92,405.
What is the cheapest alternative to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?
The most affordable similar school is Chamberlain University-Indiana at $16,149, saving $26,329 compared to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster. It has a 48% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 15 alternatives have an average median earnings of $99,065 compared to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster's $86,881. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.