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Madonna University vs Albion College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Livonia MI · vs · Private nonprofit, Albion MI

The verdict

Albion College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,204 in 5.5 years versus 6.6 years at Madonna University, on median earnings of $58,799 vs $59,058 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMadonna UniversityAlbion College
Net price / yr$17,755$14,301
Total net cost$71,020$57,204
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,058$58,799
Median debt$23,000$27,000
Payback6.6 yrs5.5 yrs
20-year net return$142,940$151,576

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

Which is cheaper, Madonna University or Albion College?

Albion College, at $14,301 a year after aid versus $17,755 — a gap of $3,454 a year, or $13,816 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Madonna University or Albion College graduates earn more?

Madonna University graduates report a median $59,058 ten years after entry, $259 more than the $58,799 at Albion 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, Madonna University or Albion College?

Madonna University: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Albion College, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

62% of students finish at Albion College, against 60% at Madonna 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.

Madonna University vs Albion College: frequently asked questions

Is Madonna University or Albion College a better value?
Albion College. It clears its $57,204 net cost in about 5.5 years versus 6.6 years at Madonna University, on median earnings of $58,799 vs $59,058 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Madonna University or Albion College?
Albion College: $14,301/yr net price after aid versus $17,755/yr at Madonna University — a difference of $3,454 a year, or about $13,816 over four years.
Do Madonna University or Albion College graduates earn more?
Madonna University graduates earn a median $59,058 ten years after entry, versus $58,799 at Albion College — a $259 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.