Carleton College vs Saint Johns University: which has better ROI?
Saint Johns University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $102,688 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at Carleton College, on median earnings of $76,786 vs $75,525 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carleton College | Saint Johns University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,407 | $25,672 |
| Total net cost | $101,628 | $102,688 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,525 | $76,786 |
| Median debt | $16,750 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $441,672 | $465,832 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carleton College or Saint Johns University?
Carleton College, at $25,407 a year after aid versus $25,672 — a gap of $265 a year, or $1,060 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carleton College or Saint Johns University graduates earn more?
Saint Johns University graduates report a median $76,786 ten years after entry, $1,261 more than the $75,525 at Carleton 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, Carleton College or Saint Johns University?
Carleton College: its completers carry a median $16,750 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Johns University, a difference of $10,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at Carleton College, against 75% at Saint Johns 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.