Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia vs Swarthmore College: which has better ROI?
Swarthmore College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $92,596 in 2.9 years versus 3.1 years at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia, on median earnings of $80,257 vs $86,881 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | Swarthmore College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,689 | $23,149 |
| Total net cost | $118,756 | $92,596 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $86,881 | $80,257 |
| Median debt | $25,500 | $17,500 |
| Payback | 3.1 yrs | 2.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $651,664 | $545,344 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College, at $23,149 a year after aid versus $29,689 — a gap of $6,540 a year, or $26,160 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 Joseph's University - Philadelphia or Swarthmore College graduates earn more?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates report a median $86,881 ten years after entry, $6,624 more than the $80,257 at Swarthmore 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, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $25,500 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
92% of students finish at Swarthmore College, against 79% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. 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.