Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster — ROI, Cost & Payback
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster charges a net price of $42,478/yr after aid — a 2-year total of $84,956. Graduates earn a median $86,881 ten years after entry, $38,521/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.2 years — a 20-year net return of $685,464, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $42,478/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (2 yrs) | $84,956 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $86,881 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $38,521/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $685,464 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 2 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.