Dunwoody College of Technology vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: which has better ROI?
Dunwoody College of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $53,878 in 4.1 years versus 4.8 years at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, on median earnings of $61,511 vs $58,170 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dunwoody College of Technology | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,939 | $11,704 |
| Total net cost | $53,878 | $46,816 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,511 | $58,170 |
| Median debt | $16,000 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $209,142 | $149,384 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Dunwoody College of Technology or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, at $11,704 a year after aid versus $26,939 — a gap of $15,235 a year, or $7,062 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Dunwoody College of Technology or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn more?
Dunwoody College of Technology graduates report a median $61,511 ten years after entry, $3,341 more than the $58,170 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. 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, Dunwoody College of Technology or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Dunwoody College of Technology: its completers carry a median $16,000 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, a difference of $5,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Dunwoody College of Technology, against 66% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. 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.