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Saint Louis University vs Rockhurst University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Saint Louis MO · vs · Private nonprofit, Kansas City MO

The verdict

Saint Louis University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,592 in 4.4 years versus 5.5 years at Rockhurst University, on median earnings of $70,783 vs $67,102 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSaint Louis UniversityRockhurst University
Net price / yr$24,398$25,884
Total net cost$97,592$103,536
Median earnings, 10 yrs$70,783$67,102
Median debt$25,000$18,250
Payback4.4 yrs5.5 yrs
20-year net return$350,868$271,304

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

Which is cheaper, Saint Louis University or Rockhurst University?

Saint Louis University, at $24,398 a year after aid versus $25,884 — a gap of $1,486 a year, or $5,944 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 Louis University or Rockhurst University graduates earn more?

Saint Louis University graduates report a median $70,783 ten years after entry, $3,681 more than the $67,102 at Rockhurst 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, Saint Louis University or Rockhurst University?

Rockhurst University: its completers carry a median $18,250 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Saint Louis University, a difference of $6,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

80% of students finish at Saint Louis University, against 75% at Rockhurst 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.

Saint Louis University vs Rockhurst University: frequently asked questions

Is Saint Louis University or Rockhurst University a better value?
Saint Louis University. It clears its $97,592 net cost in about 4.4 years versus 5.5 years at Rockhurst University, on median earnings of $70,783 vs $67,102 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Saint Louis University or Rockhurst University?
Saint Louis University: $24,398/yr net price after aid versus $25,884/yr at Rockhurst University — a difference of $1,486 a year, or about $5,944 over four years.
Do Saint Louis University or Rockhurst University graduates earn more?
Saint Louis University graduates earn a median $70,783 ten years after entry, versus $67,102 at Rockhurst University — a $3,681 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.