Middlebury College vs Saint Michael's College: which has better ROI?
Middlebury College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $125,932 in 4.5 years versus 7.8 years at Saint Michael's College, on median earnings of $76,310 vs $61,317 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Middlebury College | Saint Michael's College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,483 | $25,239 |
| Total net cost | $125,932 | $100,956 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $76,310 | $61,317 |
| Median debt | $13,857 | $26,922 |
| Payback | 4.5 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $433,068 | $158,184 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Middlebury College or Saint Michael's College?
Saint Michael's College, at $25,239 a year after aid versus $31,483 — a gap of $6,244 a year, or $24,976 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Middlebury College or Saint Michael's College graduates earn more?
Middlebury College graduates report a median $76,310 ten years after entry, $14,993 more than the $61,317 at Saint Michael's 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, Middlebury College or Saint Michael's College?
Middlebury College: its completers carry a median $13,857 in federal loans versus $26,922 at Saint Michael's College, a difference of $13,065. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
91% of students finish at Middlebury College, against 73% at Saint Michael's 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.