Sacred Heart University vs University of Saint Joseph: which has better ROI?
Sacred Heart University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $184,696 in 6.9 years versus 9.7 years at University of Saint Joseph, on median earnings of $75,059 vs $59,908 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Sacred Heart University | University of Saint Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $46,174 | $27,989 |
| Total net cost | $184,696 | $111,956 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,059 | $59,908 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 9.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $349,284 | $119,004 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Sacred Heart University or University of Saint Joseph?
University of Saint Joseph, at $27,989 a year after aid versus $46,174 — a gap of $18,185 a year, or $72,740 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Sacred Heart University or University of Saint Joseph graduates earn more?
Sacred Heart University graduates report a median $75,059 ten years after entry, $15,151 more than the $59,908 at University of Saint Joseph. 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, Sacred Heart University or University of Saint Joseph?
Sacred Heart University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at University of Saint Joseph, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Sacred Heart University, against 64% at University of Saint Joseph. 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.