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Messiah University vs La Roche University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Mechanicsburg PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Pittsburgh PA

The verdict

Messiah University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $106,008 in 18.6 years versus 20.9 years at La Roche University, on median earnings of $54,064 vs $52,341 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMessiah UniversityLa Roche University
Net price / yr$26,502$20,794
Total net cost$106,008$83,176
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,064$52,341
Median debt$25,621$25,000
Payback18.6 yrs20.9 yrs
20-year net return$8,072-$3,556

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

Which is cheaper, Messiah University or La Roche University?

La Roche University, at $20,794 a year after aid versus $26,502 — a gap of $5,708 a year, or $22,832 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Messiah University or La Roche University graduates earn more?

Messiah University graduates report a median $54,064 ten years after entry, $1,723 more than the $52,341 at La Roche 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, Messiah University or La Roche University?

La Roche University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,621 at Messiah University, a difference of $621. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at Messiah University, against 57% at La Roche 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.

Messiah University vs La Roche University: frequently asked questions

Is Messiah University or La Roche University a better value?
Messiah University. It clears its $106,008 net cost in about 18.6 years versus 20.9 years at La Roche University, on median earnings of $54,064 vs $52,341 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Messiah University or La Roche University?
La Roche University: $20,794/yr net price after aid versus $26,502/yr at Messiah University — a difference of $5,708 a year, or about $22,832 over four years.
Do Messiah University or La Roche University graduates earn more?
Messiah University graduates earn a median $54,064 ten years after entry, versus $52,341 at La Roche University — a $1,723 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.