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Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion vs Saint Mary's College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Marion IN · vs · Private nonprofit, Notre Dame IN

The verdict

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,464 in 7.9 years versus 9.2 years at Saint Mary's College, on median earnings of $59,986 vs $59,354 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureIndiana Wesleyan University-MarionSaint Mary's College
Net price / yr$22,866$25,292
Total net cost$91,464$101,168
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,986$59,354
Median debt$24,250$27,000
Payback7.9 yrs9.2 yrs
20-year net return$141,056$118,712

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

Which is cheaper, Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or Saint Mary's College?

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion, at $22,866 a year after aid versus $25,292 — a gap of $2,426 a year, or $9,704 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or Saint Mary's College graduates earn more?

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion graduates report a median $59,986 ten years after entry, $632 more than the $59,354 at Saint Mary'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, Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or Saint Mary's College?

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Mary's College, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Saint Mary's College, against 67% at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion. 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.

Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion vs Saint Mary's College: frequently asked questions

Is Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or Saint Mary's College a better value?
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion. It clears its $91,464 net cost in about 7.9 years versus 9.2 years at Saint Mary's College, on median earnings of $59,986 vs $59,354 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or Saint Mary's College?
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion: $22,866/yr net price after aid versus $25,292/yr at Saint Mary's College — a difference of $2,426 a year, or about $9,704 over four years.
Do Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or Saint Mary's College graduates earn more?
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion graduates earn a median $59,986 ten years after entry, versus $59,354 at Saint Mary's College — a $632 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.