Saint Leo, FLprivate nonprofitwww.saintleo.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 71%–80% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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 Leo University is a private Catholic university in Florida with a strong emphasis on liberal arts and professional programs, offering a blend of on-campus and online education. Known for its moderately selective admissions and a graduation rate hovering around 45-49%, it attracts students with its small class sizes and values-driven education. The university stands out for its social mobility focus and flexible learning options, though its outcomes lag behind national averages.
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.
More details
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.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Saint Leo University has a moderately difficult admissions process with an acceptance rate of 78-79%, admitting around 5,223 out of 6,631 applicants annually. The university is test-optional, no longer requiring SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate applicants. The enrolled student body tends to skew female (58.7%) with a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,603 as of fall 2023. The student-faculty ratio is 20:1, ensuring relatively small class sizes.
Saint Leo offers a with a focus on , including programs in . The university provides (e.g., BS/MS in Computer Science/Cybersecurity, BA/MBA in Management). It’s recognized as a and has strong professional programs in . Online programs cater to working adults, with degrees in .
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.
The 297-acre campus fosters a close-knit community, with dining halls serving as social hubs. Students highlight the fountain behind the Tapia College of Business as a favorite spot. Online students can join clubs remotely, and the gender distribution is 41.3% male, 58.7% female. The university emphasizes small class sizes to strengthen student-professor connections, though some note the rural location limits off-campus activities.
Saint Leo’s graduation rate is 45-49%, below the national midpoint (59%). Earnings post-graduation are $47,100 after one year and $55,370 after five years, slightly above average. The university aims to maintain a minimum 45% graduation rate, with Pell Grant recipients graduating at 46%. Outcomes are weaker for women (48% graduation rate). The school’s social mobility ranking suggests it supports lower-income students effectively, but retention and completion rates remain a challenge.
The average annual cost is $21,293, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. 99% of full-time campus students receive aid, with scholarships, grants (e.g., ACES, TEACH), and military/veteran benefits available. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator helps estimate costs, though the university’s graduation rate-to-cost ratio is a concern for some families. Loans and work-study options are also offered.
Saint Leo’s Catholic identity and social mobility focus set it apart, alongside flexible online programs for non-traditional students. The small-campus vibe and values-driven curriculum appeal to those seeking close mentorship, though its below-average graduation rates temper its appeal. The test-optional policy and strong veteran/military support broaden access, while programs like cybersecurity and criminal justice align with high-demand careers.