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Monroe Community College vs University of Rochester: which has better ROI?

Public, Rochester NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Rochester NY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Rochester has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $117,112 in 3.8 years versus not at all at Monroe Community College, on median earnings of $79,042 vs $40,174 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMonroe Community CollegeUniversity of Rochester
Net price / yr$6,353$29,278
Total net cost$12,706$117,112
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,174$79,042
Median debt$9,750$21,000
Payback—3.8 yrs
20-year net return-$176,426$496,528

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Monroe Community College or University of Rochester?

Monroe Community College, at $6,353 a year after aid versus $29,278 — a gap of $22,925 a year, or $104,406 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Monroe Community College or University of Rochester graduates earn more?

University of Rochester graduates report a median $79,042 ten years after entry, $38,868 more than the $40,174 at Monroe Community 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, Monroe Community College or University of Rochester?

Monroe Community College: its completers carry a median $9,750 in federal loans versus $21,000 at University of Rochester, a difference of $11,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

85% of students finish at University of Rochester, against 27% at Monroe Community 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.

Monroe Community College vs University of Rochester: frequently asked questions

Is Monroe Community College or University of Rochester a better value?
University of Rochester. It clears its $117,112 net cost in about 3.8 years versus no clear payback at Monroe Community College, on median earnings of $79,042 vs $40,174 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Monroe Community College or University of Rochester?
Monroe Community College: $6,353/yr net price after aid versus $29,278/yr at University of Rochester — a difference of $22,925 a year, or about $104,406 over four years.
Do Monroe Community College or University of Rochester graduates earn more?
University of Rochester graduates earn a median $79,042 ten years after entry, versus $40,174 at Monroe Community College — a $38,868 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.