Augsburg University vs Macalester College: which has better ROI?
Macalester College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $128,596 in 8.3 years versus 9.1 years at Augsburg University, on median earnings of $63,878 vs $58,829 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Augsburg University | Macalester College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,873 | $32,149 |
| Total net cost | $95,492 | $128,596 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,829 | $63,878 |
| Median debt | $25,347 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 9.1 yrs | 8.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $113,888 | $181,764 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Augsburg University or Macalester College?
Augsburg University, at $23,873 a year after aid versus $32,149 — a gap of $8,276 a year, or $33,104 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Augsburg University or Macalester College graduates earn more?
Macalester College graduates report a median $63,878 ten years after entry, $5,049 more than the $58,829 at Augsburg University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Augsburg University or Macalester College?
Macalester College: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $25,347 at Augsburg University, a difference of $2,347. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at Macalester College, against 52% at Augsburg University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.