Mount St. Mary's University vs McDaniel College: which has better ROI?
Mount St. Mary's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,620 in 5.8 years versus 7.1 years at McDaniel College, on median earnings of $64,072 vs $60,663 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mount St. Mary's University | McDaniel College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,655 | $21,916 |
| Total net cost | $90,620 | $87,664 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,072 | $60,663 |
| Median debt | $25,391 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 7.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $223,620 | $158,396 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mount St. Mary's University or McDaniel College?
McDaniel College, at $21,916 a year after aid versus $22,655 — a gap of $739 a year, or $2,956 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mount St. Mary's University or McDaniel College graduates earn more?
Mount St. Mary's University graduates report a median $64,072 ten years after entry, $3,409 more than the $60,663 at McDaniel 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, Mount St. Mary's University or McDaniel College?
McDaniel College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,391 at Mount St. Mary's University, a difference of $391. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Mount St. Mary's University, against 63% at McDaniel 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.