Queens, NYprivate nonprofitwww.stjohns.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 72%–85% 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.
St. John's University in Queens, NY, is a private Catholic institution with an 83% acceptance rate and a strong emphasis on career outcomes—93% of business graduates land jobs or pursue further education within six months. Its urban campus offers over 100 majors, Big East athletics, and a vibrant student life, though its $29,656 net price after aid may give some pause.
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
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.
St. John's University is notably accessible, with an 83% acceptance rate (20,196 admitted out of 24,208 applicants in a recent cycle). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1150–1330 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT, though the university is test-optional for first-year applicants. Unlike hyper-selective peers, St. John's doesn't require applicants to commit to a specific college within the university upfront. The vibe is pragmatic: this is a school that prioritizes access over exclusivity, with a rolling admissions process that favors decisiveness over perfect test scores.
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.
With over 100 majors, St. John's leans into its urban setting and Catholic identity. Standouts include:
Smaller liberal arts majors like Africana Studies and Art History coexist with applied fields like Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Reddit threads and Niche reviews suggest variability in teaching quality, with some students praising accessible professors and others noting uneven rigor. The curriculum balances theory and practicality—expect internships at NYC firms alongside theology requirements.
Life at St. John's revolves around its Queens campus—a mix of Gothic architecture and modern facilities like Carnesecca Arena (home to Big East basketball). Key features:
Niche reviewers call the gym "a vibe" and highlight the chapel's beauty, but warn that the urban campus lacks the insular feel of rural colleges. For many, the real draw is proximity to Manhattan—just a subway ride away.
St. John's delivers on employability:
Alumni often land in NYC-centric roles—finance, law, education—and 83.8% of employed grads would recommend the school. The career office touts connections with NYC employers, though some Reddit users note that hustle is required to stand out in a competitive job market.
The sticker price is steep, but aid softens the blow:
Tuition hikes are annual, and 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 warns estimates aren't binding—some students report aid gaps. Niche notes the cost leans "expensive" for the value, though the NYC location justifies it for many. Bottom line: compare aid offers carefully, especially if commuting isn't an option.
St. John's isn't for everyone—its urban commuter vibe and middling selectivity won't appeal to elite-seekers. But for students who want:
...it's a practical choice. The calculus is straightforward: pay less than NYU or Columbia, get comparable city access, and graduate with employable skills. Just don't expect ivy-covered isolation—this is a university that thrives on real-world hustle.