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Barnard College vs Molloy University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New York NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Rockville Centre NY

The verdict

Molloy University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,388 in 3.3 years versus 3.6 years at Barnard College, on median earnings of $77,789 vs $80,516 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBarnard CollegeMolloy University
Net price / yr$28,800$24,347
Total net cost$115,200$97,388
Median earnings, 10 yrs$80,516$77,789
Median debt$18,000$27,000
Payback3.6 yrs3.3 yrs
20-year net return$527,920$491,192

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Barnard College or Molloy University?

Molloy University, at $24,347 a year after aid versus $28,800 — a gap of $4,453 a year, or $17,812 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Barnard College or Molloy University graduates earn more?

Barnard College graduates report a median $80,516 ten years after entry, $2,727 more than the $77,789 at Molloy 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, Barnard College or Molloy University?

Barnard College: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Molloy University, a difference of $9,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

93% of students finish at Barnard College, against 70% at Molloy 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.

Barnard College vs Molloy University: frequently asked questions

Is Barnard College or Molloy University a better value?
Molloy University. It clears its $97,388 net cost in about 3.3 years versus 3.6 years at Barnard College, on median earnings of $77,789 vs $80,516 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Barnard College or Molloy University?
Molloy University: $24,347/yr net price after aid versus $28,800/yr at Barnard College — a difference of $4,453 a year, or about $17,812 over four years.
Do Barnard College or Molloy University graduates earn more?
Barnard College graduates earn a median $80,516 ten years after entry, versus $77,789 at Molloy University — a $2,727 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.