Saginaw Valley State University vs Adrian College: which has better ROI?
Saginaw Valley State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $43,100 in 12 years versus 14.2 years at Adrian College, on median earnings of $51,955 vs $55,504 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saginaw Valley State University | Adrian College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,775 | $25,368 |
| Total net cost | $43,100 | $101,472 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,955 | $55,504 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 12 yrs | 14.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $28,800 | $41,408 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saginaw Valley State University or Adrian College?
Saginaw Valley State University, at $10,775 a year after aid versus $25,368 — a gap of $14,593 a year, or $58,372 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saginaw Valley State University or Adrian College graduates earn more?
Adrian College graduates report a median $55,504 ten years after entry, $3,549 more than the $51,955 at Saginaw Valley 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, Saginaw Valley State University or Adrian College?
Saginaw Valley State University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Adrian College, 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?
48% of students finish at Adrian College, against 48% at Saginaw Valley 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.