Baker University vs University of Saint Mary: which has better ROI?
Baker University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,204 in 6.5 years versus 8.1 years at University of Saint Mary, on median earnings of $63,855 vs $59,483 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Baker University | University of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,301 | $22,519 |
| Total net cost | $101,204 | $90,076 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,855 | $59,483 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $22,018 |
| Payback | 6.5 yrs | 8.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $208,696 | $132,384 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Baker University or University of Saint Mary?
University of Saint Mary, at $22,519 a year after aid versus $25,301 — a gap of $2,782 a year, or $11,128 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Baker University or University of Saint Mary graduates earn more?
Baker University graduates report a median $63,855 ten years after entry, $4,372 more than the $59,483 at University of Saint Mary. 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, Baker University or University of Saint Mary?
University of Saint Mary: its completers carry a median $22,018 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Baker University, a difference of $2,982. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at Baker University, against 48% at University of Saint Mary. 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.