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Ohio University-Main Campus vs Mount St. Joseph University: which has better ROI?

Public, Athens OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Ohio University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $86,548 in 20.5 years versus 21 years at Mount St. Joseph University, on median earnings of $52,581 vs $51,509 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOhio University-Main CampusMount St. Joseph University
Net price / yr$21,637$16,530
Total net cost$86,548$66,120
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,581$51,509
Median debt$21,056$26,827
Payback20.5 yrs21 yrs
20-year net return-$2,128-$3,140

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

Which is cheaper, Ohio University-Main Campus or Mount St. Joseph University?

Mount St. Joseph University, at $16,530 a year after aid versus $21,637 — a gap of $5,107 a year, or $20,428 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ohio University-Main Campus or Mount St. Joseph University graduates earn more?

Ohio University-Main Campus graduates report a median $52,581 ten years after entry, $1,072 more than the $51,509 at Mount St. Joseph 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, Ohio University-Main Campus or Mount St. Joseph University?

Ohio University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $21,056 in federal loans versus $26,827 at Mount St. Joseph University, a difference of $5,771. 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 Ohio University-Main Campus, against 56% at Mount St. Joseph 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.

Ohio University-Main Campus vs Mount St. Joseph University: frequently asked questions

Is Ohio University-Main Campus or Mount St. Joseph University a better value?
Ohio University-Main Campus. It clears its $86,548 net cost in about 20.5 years versus 21 years at Mount St. Joseph University, on median earnings of $52,581 vs $51,509 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ohio University-Main Campus or Mount St. Joseph University?
Mount St. Joseph University: $16,530/yr net price after aid versus $21,637/yr at Ohio University-Main Campus — a difference of $5,107 a year, or about $20,428 over four years.
Do Ohio University-Main Campus or Mount St. Joseph University graduates earn more?
Ohio University-Main Campus graduates earn a median $52,581 ten years after entry, versus $51,509 at Mount St. Joseph University — a $1,072 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.