Metropolitan State University vs Saint Paul College: which has better ROI?
Metropolitan State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,452 in 4.1 years versus not at all at Saint Paul College, on median earnings of $64,705 vs $38,399 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Metropolitan State University | Saint Paul College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,863 | $11,495 |
| Total net cost | $67,452 | $45,980 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,705 | $38,399 |
| Median debt | $17,100 | $10,925 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $259,448 | -$245,200 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University or Saint Paul College?
Saint Paul College, at $11,495 a year after aid versus $16,863 — a gap of $5,368 a year, or $21,472 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 Saint Paul College graduates earn more?
Metropolitan State University graduates report a median $64,705 ten years after entry, $26,306 more than the $38,399 at Saint Paul 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, Metropolitan State University or Saint Paul College?
Saint Paul College: its completers carry a median $10,925 in federal loans versus $17,100 at Metropolitan State University, a difference of $6,175. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
44% of students finish at Metropolitan State University, against 40% at Saint Paul 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.