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Haverford College vs Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Haverford PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lancaster PA

The verdict

Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $84,956 in 2.2 years versus 3.2 years at Haverford College, on median earnings of $86,881 vs $79,966 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHaverford CollegeSaint Joseph's University - Lancaster
Net price / yr$25,314$42,478
Total net cost$101,256$84,956
Median earnings, 10 yrs$79,966$86,881
Median debt$13,621$25,500
Payback3.2 yrs2.2 yrs
20-year net return$530,864$685,464

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

Which is cheaper, Haverford College or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?

Haverford College, at $25,314 a year after aid versus $42,478 — a gap of $17,164 a year, or $16,300 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Haverford College or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates earn more?

Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates report a median $86,881 ten years after entry, $6,915 more than the $79,966 at Haverford 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, Haverford College or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?

Haverford College: its completers carry a median $13,621 in federal loans versus $25,500 at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster, a difference of $11,879. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

90% of students finish at Haverford College, against 69% at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster. 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.

Haverford College vs Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster: frequently asked questions

Is Haverford College or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster a better value?
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster. It clears its $84,956 net cost in about 2.2 years versus 3.2 years at Haverford College, on median earnings of $86,881 vs $79,966 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Haverford College or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?
Haverford College: $25,314/yr net price after aid versus $42,478/yr at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster — a difference of $17,164 a year, or about $16,300 over four years.
Do Haverford College or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates earn more?
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates earn a median $86,881 ten years after entry, versus $79,966 at Haverford College — a $6,915 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.