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Saint Johns University vs University of Minnesota-Rochester: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Collegeville MN · vs · Public, Rochester MN

The verdict

University of Minnesota-Rochester has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,976 in 2.7 years versus 3.6 years at Saint Johns University, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $76,786 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSaint Johns UniversityUniversity of Minnesota-Rochester
Net price / yr$25,672$13,744
Total net cost$102,688$54,976
Median earnings, 10 yrs$76,786$69,020
Median debt$27,000$19,500
Payback3.6 yrs2.7 yrs
20-year net return$465,832$358,224

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

Which is cheaper, Saint Johns University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

University of Minnesota-Rochester, at $13,744 a year after aid versus $25,672 — a gap of $11,928 a year, or $47,712 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Saint Johns University or University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates earn more?

Saint Johns University graduates report a median $76,786 ten years after entry, $7,766 more than the $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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, Saint Johns University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?

University of Minnesota-Rochester: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Johns University, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at Saint Johns University, against 57% at University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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.

Saint Johns University vs University of Minnesota-Rochester: frequently asked questions

Is Saint Johns University or University of Minnesota-Rochester a better value?
University of Minnesota-Rochester. It clears its $54,976 net cost in about 2.7 years versus 3.6 years at Saint Johns University, on median earnings of $69,020 vs $76,786 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Saint Johns University or University of Minnesota-Rochester?
University of Minnesota-Rochester: $13,744/yr net price after aid versus $25,672/yr at Saint Johns University — a difference of $11,928 a year, or about $47,712 over four years.
Do Saint Johns University or University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates earn more?
Saint Johns University graduates earn a median $76,786 ten years after entry, versus $69,020 at University of Minnesota-Rochester — a $7,766 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.