Dillard University vs Blue Cliff College-Metairie: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Dillard University comes closer — median earnings $39,196 against a $88,376 total, vs $22,177 at Blue Cliff College-Metairie. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dillard University | Blue Cliff College-Metairie |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,094 | $9,863 |
| Total net cost | $88,376 | $39,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,196 | $22,177 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$271,656 | -$563,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Dillard University or Blue Cliff College-Metairie?
Blue Cliff College-Metairie, at $9,863 a year after aid versus $22,094 — a gap of $12,231 a year, or $48,924 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Dillard University or Blue Cliff College-Metairie graduates earn more?
Dillard University graduates report a median $39,196 ten years after entry, $17,019 more than the $22,177 at Blue Cliff College-Metairie. 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, Dillard University or Blue Cliff College-Metairie?
Blue Cliff College-Metairie: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Dillard University, a difference of $21,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Blue Cliff College-Metairie, against 43% at Dillard 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.