Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of St Thomas — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Saint Paul, MN · 6,245 students

The verdict

University of St Thomas charges a net price of $29,155/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $116,620. Graduates earn a median $73,739 ten years after entry, $25,379/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.6 years — a 20-year net return of $390,960, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share

University of St Thomas's 4.6-year payback ranks #378 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 71% of them, and #7 of 68 in Minnesota.

Better ROI than 71% of US colleges#378 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$29,155
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$73,739
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
4.6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
85%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of St Thomas: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$29,155/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$116,620our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$73,739Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$25,379/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,250Scorecard, 2026
Payback4.6 yrsour math
20-year net return$390,960our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of St Thomas's own numbers. Net price $29,155 × 4 years = $116,620 total. Median earnings $73,739 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $25,379 a year of premium. $116,620 ÷ $25,379 = 4.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $390,960. 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 University of St Thomas students graduate with?

A median $23,250 in federal loans among completers, or 32% of the $73,739 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of St Thomas students graduate?

76% finish their degree. Spread the $116,620 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $153,447 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of St Thomas expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?

Its $29,155 net price runs $12,335 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $49,338 more across the full degree.

University of St Thomas: frequently asked questions

Is University of St Thomas worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of St Thomas charges $29,155/yr after aid ($116,620 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $73,739 ten years out — $25,379/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 4.6 years and returns $390,960 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a University of St Thomas degree take to pay off?
About 4.6 years. We divide the $116,620 four-year net cost by the $25,379/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of St Thomas cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $29,155/yr — about $116,620 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of St Thomas compare to other Minnesota colleges?
It ranks #7 of 68 Minnesota colleges we track by payback. Its $73,739 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $29,155 net price is above the national median of $16,902.