St Catherine University — ROI, Cost & Payback
St Catherine University charges a net price of $19,764/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $79,056. Graduates earn a median $59,282 ten years after entry, $10,922/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.2 years — a 20-year net return of $139,384, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
St Catherine University's 7.2-year payback ranks #634 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 51% of them, and #18 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $19,764/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $79,056 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $59,282 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $10,922/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,181 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 7.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $139,384 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on St Catherine University's own numbers. Net price $19,764 × 4 years = $79,056 total. Median earnings $59,282 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $10,922 a year of premium. $79,056 ÷ $10,922 = 7.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $139,384. 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 St Catherine University students graduate with?
A median $24,181 in federal loans among completers, or 41% of the $59,282 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of St Catherine University students graduate?
61% finish their degree — 39% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $79,056 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $129,600 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is St Catherine University expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $19,764 net price runs $2,944 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $11,774 more across the full degree.