Nebraska Wesleyan University vs College of Saint Mary: which has better ROI?
Nebraska Wesleyan University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,308 in 9.1 years versus 11.1 years at College of Saint Mary, on median earnings of $56,405 vs $54,338 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Nebraska Wesleyan University | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,327 | $16,590 |
| Total net cost | $73,308 | $66,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,405 | $54,338 |
| Median debt | $26,970 | $24,250 |
| Payback | 9.1 yrs | 11.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $87,592 | $53,200 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Nebraska Wesleyan University or College of Saint Mary?
College of Saint Mary, at $16,590 a year after aid versus $18,327 — a gap of $1,737 a year, or $6,948 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Nebraska Wesleyan University or College of Saint Mary graduates earn more?
Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates report a median $56,405 ten years after entry, $2,067 more than the $54,338 at College of Saint Mary. 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, Nebraska Wesleyan University or College of Saint Mary?
College of Saint Mary: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $26,970 at Nebraska Wesleyan University, a difference of $2,720. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Nebraska Wesleyan University, against 61% at College of Saint Mary. 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.