Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Frostburg State University vs Washington College: which has better ROI?

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

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

The verdict

Washington College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $111,592 in 6.5 years versus 9.4 years at Frostburg State University, on median earnings of $65,518 vs $55,493 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureFrostburg State UniversityWashington College
Net price / yr$16,715$27,898
Total net cost$66,860$111,592
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,493$65,518
Median debt$21,105$26,956
Payback9.4 yrs6.5 yrs
20-year net return$75,800$231,568

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

Which is cheaper, Frostburg State University or Washington College?

Frostburg State University, at $16,715 a year after aid versus $27,898 — a gap of $11,183 a year, or $44,732 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 Washington College graduates earn more?

Washington College graduates report a median $65,518 ten years after entry, $10,025 more than the $55,493 at Frostburg State 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, Frostburg State University or Washington College?

Frostburg State University: its completers carry a median $21,105 in federal loans versus $26,956 at Washington College, a difference of $5,851. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Washington 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 Washington College: frequently asked questions

Is Frostburg State University or Washington College a better value?
Washington College. It clears its $111,592 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 9.4 years at Frostburg State University, on median earnings of $65,518 vs $55,493 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Frostburg State University or Washington College?
Frostburg State University: $16,715/yr net price after aid versus $27,898/yr at Washington College — a difference of $11,183 a year, or about $44,732 over four years.
Do Frostburg State University or Washington College graduates earn more?
Washington College graduates earn a median $65,518 ten years after entry, versus $55,493 at Frostburg State University — a $10,025 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.