

Morristown, NJprivate nonprofitwww.steu.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 72%–77% over the last 5 years, though the latest figure above (71%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Saint Elizabeth University is a small, private institution in Morristown, New Jersey, that has evolved from its historic roots into a coeducational university focused on practical, career-oriented education. It offers a tight-knit, supportive environment with a notably accessible admissions process, though its graduation and post-graduate earnings metrics suggest a path that requires significant student initiative. The university's character is defined by its holistic approach to student life and a curriculum leaning heavily toward fields like criminal justice, education, and health sciences.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Saint Elizabeth University operates with a highly accessible admissions process, positioning itself as an opportunity-focused institution. The university reported a total enrollment surpassing 1,000 students, reflecting a 7.5% increase over the previous year. Admissions statistics show that for a recent cycle, 2,216 students applied, 1,574 were accepted, and 560 enrolled. While SAT and ACT scores are considered, they are not required for application. Admitted student score ranges typically fall between 890-1090 on the SAT or 16-21 on the ACT. The university's rate—the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll—was reported at just 10% in 2023. The admissions office is located in Santa Rita Hall and can be reached at (973) 290-4700 or [email protected].
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
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Academics at SEU are characterized by small class sizes and a focus on professional preparation. The student-faculty ratio is a notably intimate 11:1. The university structures its offerings into majors and programs within business, education, the liberal arts and sciences, nursing, and the health professions. Popular undergraduate majors, based on recent data, include Criminal Justice/Safety Studies and Biology/Biological Sciences. The university also caters to non-traditional students through its Continuing Studies division, offering accelerated and completion programs in fields like Health Sciences and Business Administration. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 74%.
Life at SEU is described as holistic, familial, and diverse. The Office of Student Engagement, located on the second floor of the Mahoney Library, provides extracurricular programming designed to complement and enhance classroom learning. The total undergraduate enrollment was 670 as of Fall 2023, fostering a small-campus atmosphere where students often describe the community as welcoming and open. The university actively promotes a campus culture that values respectful interaction through various programs. Furthermore, SEU extends its community focus beyond campus through initiatives like the School Culture and Climate Initiative (SCCI), which works with local school districts to improve educational environments.
Post-graduation outcomes for SEU alumni show a mixed picture. Roughly 83.8% of graduates are employed three years after leaving the university. However, graduation rates are a point of challenge; the six-year graduation rate is reported at 41%, with a significant gender disparity: male students graduate at a notably lower rate of 27%, while female students have a higher rate. Other sources cite varying graduation rates, including a 44% completion rate within 150% of normal time. Alumni salary data also varies by source, with one reporting median earnings of $66,386 four years after graduation, and another citing $53,774 as a median alumni salary.
Saint Elizabeth University seeks to make attendance feasible through a combination of grants and scholarships. The university offers need-based grants to full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. It also provides a range of merit-based scholarships, including the Elizabethan Scholarship ($21,000 for freshmen), the Seton Scholarship ($16,500), and the Founders Scholarship ($15,500). The average financial aid package is reported to be $28,480. Students can use a Calculator on the university's website to get a personalized estimate of costs after aid. The financial aid office emphasizes that students must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan to qualify for aid. The office can be reached at (973) 290-4445 or [email protected].
Saint Elizabeth University stands out for its deliberate, mission-driven focus on creating a supportive and holistic educational environment for a diverse student body, including a significant population of non-traditional learners. Its singular character is defined by an 11:1 student-faculty ratio that promises personal attention, and a curriculum tightly woven to practical, in-demand fields like criminal justice, health sciences, and education. Unlike many small private colleges, SEU maintains a highly accessible admissions gate, explicitly not requiring standardized tests, which aligns with its identity as an opportunity provider. Furthermore, its extension beyond the campus through programs like the School Culture and Climate Initiative demonstrates a commitment to applying its values of respect and community engagement to the wider region. It is a university built not on prestige or selectivity, but on the principle of meeting students where they are and aiming to equip them for careers and civic life.