Meredith College vs Pfeiffer University: which has better ROI?
Pfeiffer University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,304 in 23.8 years versus 28.3 years at Meredith College, on median earnings of $51,562 vs $51,539 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Meredith College | Pfeiffer University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,488 | $19,076 |
| Total net cost | $89,952 | $76,304 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,539 | $51,562 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,163 |
| Payback | 28.3 yrs | 23.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$26,372 | -$12,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Meredith College or Pfeiffer University?
Pfeiffer University, at $19,076 a year after aid versus $22,488 — a gap of $3,412 a year, or $13,648 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Meredith College or Pfeiffer University graduates earn more?
Pfeiffer University graduates report a median $51,562 ten years after entry, $23 more than the $51,539 at Meredith 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, Meredith College or Pfeiffer University?
Meredith College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,163 at Pfeiffer University, a difference of $1,163. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Meredith College, against 35% at Pfeiffer 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.