Saint Louis University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Saint Louis University charges a net price of $24,398/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $97,592. Graduates earn a median $70,783 ten years after entry, $22,423/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.4 years — a 20-year net return of $350,868, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Saint Louis University's 4.4-year payback ranks #348 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 73% of them, and #7 of 71 in Missouri.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $24,398/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $97,592 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $70,783 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $22,423/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $350,868 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Saint Louis University's own numbers. Net price $24,398 × 4 years = $97,592 total. Median earnings $70,783 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $22,423 a year of premium. $97,592 ÷ $22,423 = 4.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $350,868. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Saint Louis University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $70,783 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Saint Louis University students graduate?
80% finish their degree. Spread the $97,592 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $121,990 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Saint Louis University expensive compared with other Missouri colleges?
Its $24,398 net price runs $6,312 above the $18,086 median across the 71 Missouri colleges we profile, or $25,248 more across the full degree.