Concordia University-Nebraska vs College of Saint Mary: which has better ROI?
College of Saint Mary has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,360 in 11.1 years versus 23.6 years at Concordia University-Nebraska, on median earnings of $54,338 vs $52,415 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Concordia University-Nebraska | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,965 | $16,590 |
| Total net cost | $95,860 | $66,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,415 | $54,338 |
| Median debt | $25,750 | $24,250 |
| Payback | 23.6 yrs | 11.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$14,760 | $53,200 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Nebraska or College of Saint Mary?
College of Saint Mary, at $16,590 a year after aid versus $23,965 — a gap of $7,375 a year, or $29,500 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Concordia University-Nebraska or College of Saint Mary graduates earn more?
College of Saint Mary graduates report a median $54,338 ten years after entry, $1,923 more than the $52,415 at Concordia University-Nebraska. 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, Concordia University-Nebraska or College of Saint Mary?
College of Saint Mary: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $25,750 at Concordia University-Nebraska, a difference of $1,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Concordia University-Nebraska, against 61% at College of Saint Mary. 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.