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Belmont University vs Bryan College-Dayton: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Nashville TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Dayton TN

The verdict

Bryan College-Dayton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,456 in 13.6 years versus 17.5 years at Belmont University, on median earnings of $54,434 vs $55,930 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBelmont UniversityBryan College-Dayton
Net price / yr$33,147$20,614
Total net cost$132,588$82,456
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,930$54,434
Median debt$20,500$23,000
Payback17.5 yrs13.6 yrs
20-year net return$18,812$39,024

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

Which is cheaper, Belmont University or Bryan College-Dayton?

Bryan College-Dayton, at $20,614 a year after aid versus $33,147 — a gap of $12,533 a year, or $50,132 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Belmont University or Bryan College-Dayton graduates earn more?

Belmont University graduates report a median $55,930 ten years after entry, $1,496 more than the $54,434 at Bryan College-Dayton. 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, Belmont University or Bryan College-Dayton?

Belmont University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Bryan College-Dayton, a difference of $2,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Belmont University, against 50% at Bryan College-Dayton. 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.

Belmont University vs Bryan College-Dayton: frequently asked questions

Is Belmont University or Bryan College-Dayton a better value?
Bryan College-Dayton. It clears its $82,456 net cost in about 13.6 years versus 17.5 years at Belmont University, on median earnings of $54,434 vs $55,930 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Belmont University or Bryan College-Dayton?
Bryan College-Dayton: $20,614/yr net price after aid versus $33,147/yr at Belmont University — a difference of $12,533 a year, or about $50,132 over four years.
Do Belmont University or Bryan College-Dayton graduates earn more?
Belmont University graduates earn a median $55,930 ten years after entry, versus $54,434 at Bryan College-Dayton — a $1,496 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.