Saint Mary's College of California vs Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science: which has better ROI?
Saint Mary's College of California has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,512 in 4 years versus 4.1 years at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, on median earnings of $78,812 vs $83,438 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Mary's College of California | Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,378 | $35,558 |
| Total net cost | $121,512 | $142,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $78,812 | $83,438 |
| Median debt | $23,691 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $487,528 | $559,328 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Mary's College of California or Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?
Saint Mary's College of California, at $30,378 a year after aid versus $35,558 — a gap of $5,180 a year, or $20,720 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 Mary's College of California or Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science graduates earn more?
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science graduates report a median $83,438 ten years after entry, $4,626 more than the $78,812 at Saint Mary's College of California. 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 Mary's College of California or Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science?
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $23,691 at Saint Mary's College of California, a difference of $4,941. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Saint Mary's College of California, against 30% at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science. 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.