Marian University vs Alverno College: which has better ROI?
Marian University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $87,748 in 17.1 years versus 18.8 years at Alverno College, on median earnings of $53,501 vs $53,145 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Marian University | Alverno College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,937 | $22,540 |
| Total net cost | $87,748 | $90,160 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,501 | $53,145 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 17.1 yrs | 18.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $15,072 | $5,540 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Marian University or Alverno College?
Marian University, at $21,937 a year after aid versus $22,540 — a gap of $603 a year, or $2,412 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Marian University or Alverno College graduates earn more?
Marian University graduates report a median $53,501 ten years after entry, $356 more than the $53,145 at Alverno 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, Marian University or Alverno College?
Marian University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Alverno College, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
49% of students finish at Alverno College, against 44% at Marian 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.