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Saint Martin's University vs Perry Technical Institute: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lacey WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Yakima WA

The verdict

Saint Martin's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $112,476 in 8.2 years versus 8.5 years at Perry Technical Institute, on median earnings of $62,092 vs $57,764 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSaint Martin's UniversityPerry Technical Institute
Net price / yr$28,119$20,047
Total net cost$112,476$80,188
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,092$57,764
Median debt$22,500$14,139
Payback8.2 yrs8.5 yrs
20-year net return$162,164$107,892

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

Which is cheaper, Saint Martin's University or Perry Technical Institute?

Perry Technical Institute, at $20,047 a year after aid versus $28,119 — a gap of $8,072 a year, or $32,288 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 Martin's University or Perry Technical Institute graduates earn more?

Saint Martin's University graduates report a median $62,092 ten years after entry, $4,328 more than the $57,764 at Perry Technical Institute. 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 Martin's University or Perry Technical Institute?

Perry Technical Institute: its completers carry a median $14,139 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Saint Martin's University, a difference of $8,361. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at Perry Technical Institute, against 52% at Saint Martin's 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 Martin's University vs Perry Technical Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Saint Martin's University or Perry Technical Institute a better value?
Saint Martin's University. It clears its $112,476 net cost in about 8.2 years versus 8.5 years at Perry Technical Institute, on median earnings of $62,092 vs $57,764 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Saint Martin's University or Perry Technical Institute?
Perry Technical Institute: $20,047/yr net price after aid versus $28,119/yr at Saint Martin's University — a difference of $8,072 a year, or about $32,288 over four years.
Do Saint Martin's University or Perry Technical Institute graduates earn more?
Saint Martin's University graduates earn a median $62,092 ten years after entry, versus $57,764 at Perry Technical Institute — a $4,328 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.