Colby College vs Saint Joseph's College of Maine: which has better ROI?
Colby College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $68,720 in 2.1 years versus 10.3 years at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, on median earnings of $80,490 vs $59,045 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Colby College | Saint Joseph's College of Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,180 | $27,555 |
| Total net cost | $68,720 | $110,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,490 | $59,045 |
| Median debt | $19,157 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 10.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $573,880 | $103,480 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Colby College or Saint Joseph's College of Maine?
Colby College, at $17,180 a year after aid versus $27,555 — a gap of $10,375 a year, or $41,500 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Colby College or Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates earn more?
Colby College graduates report a median $80,490 ten years after entry, $21,445 more than the $59,045 at Saint Joseph's College of Maine. 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, Colby College or Saint Joseph's College of Maine?
Colby College: its completers carry a median $19,157 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, a difference of $7,843. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at Colby College, against 66% at Saint Joseph's College of Maine. 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.