Augustana College vs Benedictine University: which has better ROI?
Benedictine University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,252 in 5.9 years versus 6.2 years at Augustana College, on median earnings of $63,446 vs $62,971 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Augustana College | Benedictine University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,736 | $22,313 |
| Total net cost | $90,944 | $89,252 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,971 | $63,446 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $22,500 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | 5.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $201,276 | $212,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Augustana College or Benedictine University?
Benedictine University, at $22,313 a year after aid versus $22,736 — a gap of $423 a year, or $1,692 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Augustana College or Benedictine University graduates earn more?
Benedictine University graduates report a median $63,446 ten years after entry, $475 more than the $62,971 at Augustana College. 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, Augustana College or Benedictine University?
Benedictine University: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Augustana College, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Augustana College, against 50% at Benedictine 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.