National University vs Menlo College: which has better ROI?
Menlo College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $124,400 in 4.4 years versus 4.8 years at National University, on median earnings of $76,419 vs $67,548 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | National University | Menlo College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,878 | $31,100 |
| Total net cost | $91,512 | $124,400 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,548 | $76,419 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $21,750 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | 4.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $292,248 | $436,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, National University or Menlo College?
National University, at $22,878 a year after aid versus $31,100 — a gap of $8,222 a year, or $32,888 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do National University or Menlo College graduates earn more?
Menlo College graduates report a median $76,419 ten years after entry, $8,871 more than the $67,548 at National University. 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, National University or Menlo College?
Menlo College: its completers carry a median $21,750 in federal loans versus $25,000 at National University, a difference of $3,250. 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 Menlo College, against 43% at National University. 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.