MidAmerica Nazarene University vs University of Saint Mary: which has better ROI?
University of Saint Mary has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,076 in 8.1 years versus 8.8 years at MidAmerica Nazarene University, on median earnings of $59,483 vs $62,972 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | MidAmerica Nazarene University | University of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,165 | $22,519 |
| Total net cost | $128,660 | $90,076 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,972 | $59,483 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $22,018 |
| Payback | 8.8 yrs | 8.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $163,580 | $132,384 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, MidAmerica Nazarene University or University of Saint Mary?
University of Saint Mary, at $22,519 a year after aid versus $32,165 — a gap of $9,646 a year, or $38,584 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do MidAmerica Nazarene University or University of Saint Mary graduates earn more?
MidAmerica Nazarene University graduates report a median $62,972 ten years after entry, $3,489 more than the $59,483 at University of Saint Mary. 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, MidAmerica Nazarene University or University of Saint Mary?
MidAmerica Nazarene University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $22,018 at University of Saint Mary, a difference of $7,018. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at MidAmerica Nazarene University, against 48% at University of Saint Mary. 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.