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Concordia University-Saint Paul vs St Catherine University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Saint Paul MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Saint Paul MN

The verdict

Concordia University-Saint Paul has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,848 in 6.4 years versus 7.2 years at St Catherine University, on median earnings of $59,871 vs $59,282 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureConcordia University-Saint PaulSt Catherine University
Net price / yr$18,462$19,764
Total net cost$73,848$79,056
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,871$59,282
Median debt$17,832$24,181
Payback6.4 yrs7.2 yrs
20-year net return$156,372$139,384

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

Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Saint Paul or St Catherine University?

Concordia University-Saint Paul, at $18,462 a year after aid versus $19,764 — a gap of $1,302 a year, or $5,208 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-Saint Paul or St Catherine University graduates earn more?

Concordia University-Saint Paul graduates report a median $59,871 ten years after entry, $589 more than the $59,282 at St Catherine University. 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-Saint Paul or St Catherine University?

Concordia University-Saint Paul: its completers carry a median $17,832 in federal loans versus $24,181 at St Catherine University, a difference of $6,349. 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 St Catherine University, against 46% at Concordia University-Saint Paul. 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.

Concordia University-Saint Paul vs St Catherine University: frequently asked questions

Is Concordia University-Saint Paul or St Catherine University a better value?
Concordia University-Saint Paul. It clears its $73,848 net cost in about 6.4 years versus 7.2 years at St Catherine University, on median earnings of $59,871 vs $59,282 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Saint Paul or St Catherine University?
Concordia University-Saint Paul: $18,462/yr net price after aid versus $19,764/yr at St Catherine University — a difference of $1,302 a year, or about $5,208 over four years.
Do Concordia University-Saint Paul or St Catherine University graduates earn more?
Concordia University-Saint Paul graduates earn a median $59,871 ten years after entry, versus $59,282 at St Catherine University — a $589 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.