Bellevue University vs College of Saint Mary: which has better ROI?
Bellevue University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,200 in 5.4 years versus 11.1 years at College of Saint Mary, on median earnings of $61,289 vs $54,338 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bellevue University | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,550 | $16,590 |
| Total net cost | $70,200 | $66,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,289 | $54,338 |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $24,250 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 11.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $188,380 | $53,200 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bellevue University or College of Saint Mary?
College of Saint Mary, at $16,590 a year after aid versus $17,550 — a gap of $960 a year, or $3,840 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bellevue University or College of Saint Mary graduates earn more?
Bellevue University graduates report a median $61,289 ten years after entry, $6,951 more than the $54,338 at College 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, Bellevue University or College of Saint Mary?
Bellevue University: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $24,250 at College of Saint Mary, a difference of $4,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at College of Saint Mary, against 33% at Bellevue 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.