Messiah University vs Peirce College: which has better ROI?
Messiah University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $106,008 in 18.6 years versus 21.1 years at Peirce College, on median earnings of $54,064 vs $50,660 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Messiah University | Peirce College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,502 | $12,148 |
| Total net cost | $106,008 | $48,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,064 | $50,660 |
| Median debt | $25,621 | $31,250 |
| Payback | 18.6 yrs | 21.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $8,072 | -$2,592 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Messiah University or Peirce College?
Peirce College, at $12,148 a year after aid versus $26,502 — a gap of $14,354 a year, or $57,416 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 Peirce College graduates earn more?
Messiah University graduates report a median $54,064 ten years after entry, $3,404 more than the $50,660 at Peirce 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, Messiah University or Peirce College?
Messiah University: its completers carry a median $25,621 in federal loans versus $31,250 at Peirce College, a difference of $5,629. 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 10% at Peirce 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.