Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Rockland Community College vs St Bonaventure University: which has better ROI?

Public, Suffern NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Saint Bonaventure NY

The verdict

Rockland Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $22,564 in 12 years versus 12.2 years at St Bonaventure University, on median earnings of $50,243 vs $57,214 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureRockland Community CollegeSt Bonaventure University
Net price / yr$11,282$27,074
Total net cost$22,564$108,296
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,243$57,214
Median debt$8,497$26,000
Payback12 yrs12.2 yrs
20-year net return$15,096$68,784

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

Which is cheaper, Rockland Community College or St Bonaventure University?

Rockland Community College, at $11,282 a year after aid versus $27,074 — a gap of $15,792 a year, or $85,732 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Rockland Community College or St Bonaventure University graduates earn more?

St Bonaventure University graduates report a median $57,214 ten years after entry, $6,971 more than the $50,243 at Rockland Community College. 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, Rockland Community College or St Bonaventure University?

Rockland Community College: its completers carry a median $8,497 in federal loans versus $26,000 at St Bonaventure University, a difference of $17,503. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at St Bonaventure University, against 29% at Rockland Community College. 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.

Rockland Community College vs St Bonaventure University: frequently asked questions

Is Rockland Community College or St Bonaventure University a better value?
Rockland Community College. It clears its $22,564 net cost in about 12 years versus 12.2 years at St Bonaventure University, on median earnings of $50,243 vs $57,214 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Rockland Community College or St Bonaventure University?
Rockland Community College: $11,282/yr net price after aid versus $27,074/yr at St Bonaventure University — a difference of $15,792 a year, or about $85,732 over four years.
Do Rockland Community College or St Bonaventure University graduates earn more?
St Bonaventure University graduates earn a median $57,214 ten years after entry, versus $50,243 at Rockland Community College — a $6,971 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.