Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at St. John's University-New York

St. John's legal studies program starts slow but eventually catches up—the question is whether parents and students can manage the rocky first few years. Fresh graduates earn just $29,307, well below the national median of $39,162 and landing this program in the 5th percentile nationally. That's concerning for a program carrying $26,030 in debt. However, by year four, earnings jump dramatically to $52,299, surpassing both national and state benchmarks by significant margins.

This trajectory creates a real cash flow challenge early on. With debt nearly equal to first-year earnings, recent graduates will face tight budgets while making loan payments—think living with roommates and strict budgeting for several years. The 40th percentile ranking among New York legal studies programs suggests this isn't an outlier for the state, where similar programs (like CUNY John Jay) also show modest starting salaries. Still, trailing Mercy University's graduates by nearly $10,000 initially is a notable gap.

The 79% earnings growth is impressive and changes the calculation considerably. By year four, graduates are earning more than double what comparable programs deliver nationally. For families who can float their graduate through lean early years—either through parental support or careful debt management—this program ultimately delivers. But if your child will be financially independent immediately, that first year's salary may prove unworkable even with the strong recovery ahead.