Malone University vs Defiance College: which has better ROI?
Defiance College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $105,348 in 106.3 years versus 152.6 years at Malone University, on median earnings of $49,351 vs $48,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Malone University | Defiance College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,948 | $26,337 |
| Total net cost | $83,792 | $105,348 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,909 | $49,351 |
| Median debt | $26,289 | $26,813 |
| Payback | 152.6 yrs | 106.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$72,812 | -$85,528 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Malone University or Defiance College?
Malone University, at $20,948 a year after aid versus $26,337 — a gap of $5,389 a year, or $21,556 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Malone University or Defiance College graduates earn more?
Defiance College graduates report a median $49,351 ten years after entry, $442 more than the $48,909 at Malone 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, Malone University or Defiance College?
Malone University: its completers carry a median $26,289 in federal loans versus $26,813 at Defiance College, a difference of $524. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
45% of students finish at Malone University, against 31% at Defiance College. 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.