Mid-America Christian University vs Clary Sage College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mid-America Christian University comes closer — median earnings $46,116 against a $66,768 total, vs $28,954 at Clary Sage College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mid-America Christian University | Clary Sage College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,692 | $23,280 |
| Total net cost | $66,768 | $93,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,116 | $28,954 |
| Median debt | $26,394 | $8,898 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$111,648 | -$481,240 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mid-America Christian University or Clary Sage College?
Mid-America Christian University, at $16,692 a year after aid versus $23,280 — a gap of $6,588 a year, or $26,352 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mid-America Christian University or Clary Sage College graduates earn more?
Mid-America Christian University graduates report a median $46,116 ten years after entry, $17,162 more than the $28,954 at Clary Sage 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, Mid-America Christian University or Clary Sage College?
Clary Sage College: its completers carry a median $8,898 in federal loans versus $26,394 at Mid-America Christian University, a difference of $17,496. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Clary Sage College, against 44% at Mid-America Christian 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.