Plymouth State University vs Saint Anselm College: which has better ROI?
Saint Anselm College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $139,116 in 5.6 years versus 8.6 years at Plymouth State University, on median earnings of $73,371 vs $57,304 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Plymouth State University | Saint Anselm College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,216 | $34,779 |
| Total net cost | $76,864 | $139,116 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,304 | $73,371 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 8.6 yrs | 5.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $102,016 | $361,104 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Plymouth State University or Saint Anselm College?
Plymouth State University, at $19,216 a year after aid versus $34,779 — a gap of $15,563 a year, or $62,252 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Plymouth State University or Saint Anselm College graduates earn more?
Saint Anselm College graduates report a median $73,371 ten years after entry, $16,067 more than the $57,304 at Plymouth State 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, Plymouth State University or Saint Anselm College?
Plymouth State University: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Anselm College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Saint Anselm College, against 52% at Plymouth State 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.