Metropolitan State University vs Carleton College: which has better ROI?
Carleton College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,628 in 3.7 years versus 4.1 years at Metropolitan State University, on median earnings of $75,525 vs $64,705 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Metropolitan State University | Carleton College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,863 | $25,407 |
| Total net cost | $67,452 | $101,628 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,705 | $75,525 |
| Median debt | $17,100 | $16,750 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $259,448 | $441,672 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University or Carleton College?
Metropolitan State University, at $16,863 a year after aid versus $25,407 — a gap of $8,544 a year, or $34,176 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Metropolitan State University or Carleton College graduates earn more?
Carleton College graduates report a median $75,525 ten years after entry, $10,820 more than the $64,705 at Metropolitan State 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, Metropolitan State University or Carleton College?
Carleton College: its completers carry a median $16,750 in federal loans versus $17,100 at Metropolitan State University, a difference of $350. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at Carleton College, against 44% at Metropolitan State 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.