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Frostburg State University vs St. John's College: which has better ROI?

Public, Frostburg MD · vs · Private nonprofit, Annapolis MD

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Frostburg State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,860 in 9.4 years versus 56.6 years at St. John's College, on median earnings of $55,493 vs $51,584 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFrostburg State UniversitySt. John's College
Net price / yr$16,715$45,597
Total net cost$66,860$182,388
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,493$51,584
Median debt$21,105$27,000
Payback9.4 yrs56.6 yrs
20-year net return$75,800-$117,908

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

Which is cheaper, Frostburg State University or St. John's College?

Frostburg State University, at $16,715 a year after aid versus $45,597 — a gap of $28,882 a year, or $115,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Frostburg State University or St. John's College graduates earn more?

Frostburg State University graduates report a median $55,493 ten years after entry, $3,909 more than the $51,584 at St. John's College. 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, Frostburg State University or St. John's College?

Frostburg State University: its completers carry a median $21,105 in federal loans versus $27,000 at St. John's College, a difference of $5,895. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at St. John's College, against 50% at Frostburg State 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.

Frostburg State University vs St. John's College: frequently asked questions

Is Frostburg State University or St. John's College a better value?
Frostburg State University. It clears its $66,860 net cost in about 9.4 years versus 56.6 years at St. John's College, on median earnings of $55,493 vs $51,584 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Frostburg State University or St. John's College?
Frostburg State University: $16,715/yr net price after aid versus $45,597/yr at St. John's College — a difference of $28,882 a year, or about $115,528 over four years.
Do Frostburg State University or St. John's College graduates earn more?
Frostburg State University graduates earn a median $55,493 ten years after entry, versus $51,584 at St. John's College — a $3,909 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.