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Saint Mary's College of California vs Dominican University of California: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Moraga CA · vs · Private nonprofit, San Rafael CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Dominican University of California has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $141,332 in 3.9 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $84,713 vs $78,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSaint Mary's College of CaliforniaDominican University of California
Net price / yr$30,378$35,333
Total net cost$121,512$141,332
Median earnings, 10 yrs$78,812$84,713
Median debt$23,691$27,000
Payback4 yrs3.9 yrs
20-year net return$487,528$585,728

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 Dominican University of California?

Saint Mary's College of California, at $30,378 a year after aid versus $35,333 — a gap of $4,955 a year, or $19,820 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 Dominican University of California graduates earn more?

Dominican University of California graduates report a median $84,713 ten years after entry, $5,901 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 Dominican University of California?

Saint Mary's College of California: its completers carry a median $23,691 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Dominican University of California, a difference of $3,309. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

78% of students finish at Dominican University of California, against 70% at Saint Mary's College of California. 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 Mary's College of California vs Dominican University of California: frequently asked questions

Is Saint Mary's College of California or Dominican University of California a better value?
Dominican University of California. It clears its $141,332 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $84,713 vs $78,812 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Saint Mary's College of California or Dominican University of California?
Saint Mary's College of California: $30,378/yr net price after aid versus $35,333/yr at Dominican University of California — a difference of $4,955 a year, or about $19,820 over four years.
Do Saint Mary's College of California or Dominican University of California graduates earn more?
Dominican University of California graduates earn a median $84,713 ten years after entry, versus $78,812 at Saint Mary's College of California — a $5,901 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.