Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Mount Vernon Nazarene University vs Wright State University-Lake Campus: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Mount Vernon OH · vs · Public, Celina OH

The verdict

Wright State University-Lake Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $44,324 in 38.9 years versus 75 years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, on median earnings of $49,500 vs $49,555 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMount Vernon Nazarene UniversityWright State University-Lake Campus
Net price / yr$22,421$11,081
Total net cost$89,684$44,324
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,555$49,500
Median debt$25,000$22,750
Payback75 yrs38.9 yrs
20-year net return-$65,784-$21,524

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

Which is cheaper, Mount Vernon Nazarene University or Wright State University-Lake Campus?

Wright State University-Lake Campus, at $11,081 a year after aid versus $22,421 — a gap of $11,340 a year, or $45,360 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 Vernon Nazarene University or Wright State University-Lake Campus graduates earn more?

Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates report a median $49,555 ten years after entry, $55 more than the $49,500 at Wright State University-Lake Campus. 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 Vernon Nazarene University or Wright State University-Lake Campus?

Wright State University-Lake Campus: its completers carry a median $22,750 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, against 41% at Wright State University-Lake Campus. 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.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University vs Wright State University-Lake Campus: frequently asked questions

Is Mount Vernon Nazarene University or Wright State University-Lake Campus a better value?
Wright State University-Lake Campus. It clears its $44,324 net cost in about 38.9 years versus 75 years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, on median earnings of $49,500 vs $49,555 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Mount Vernon Nazarene University or Wright State University-Lake Campus?
Wright State University-Lake Campus: $11,081/yr net price after aid versus $22,421/yr at Mount Vernon Nazarene University — a difference of $11,340 a year, or about $45,360 over four years.
Do Mount Vernon Nazarene University or Wright State University-Lake Campus graduates earn more?
Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates earn a median $49,555 ten years after entry, versus $49,500 at Wright State University-Lake Campus — a $55 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.