Eckerd College vs Ave Maria University: which has better ROI?
Eckerd College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $152,284 in 44 years versus 85.7 years at Ave Maria University, on median earnings of $51,819 vs $49,520 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Eckerd College | Ave Maria University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,071 | $24,860 |
| Total net cost | $152,284 | $99,440 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,819 | $49,520 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $20,776 |
| Payback | 44 yrs | 85.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$83,104 | -$76,240 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Eckerd College or Ave Maria University?
Ave Maria University, at $24,860 a year after aid versus $38,071 — a gap of $13,211 a year, or $52,844 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Eckerd College or Ave Maria University graduates earn more?
Eckerd College graduates report a median $51,819 ten years after entry, $2,299 more than the $49,520 at Ave Maria 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, Eckerd College or Ave Maria University?
Ave Maria University: its completers carry a median $20,776 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Eckerd College, a difference of $6,224. 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 Eckerd College, against 54% at Ave Maria 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.