Saint Mary's College vs Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses: which has better ROI?
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,152 in 7.2 years versus 9.2 years at Saint Mary's College, on median earnings of $57,165 vs $59,354 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Mary's College | Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,292 | $15,788 |
| Total net cost | $101,168 | $63,152 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,354 | $57,165 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 9.2 yrs | 7.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $118,712 | $112,948 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saint Mary's College or Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses?
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses, at $15,788 a year after aid versus $25,292 — a gap of $9,504 a year, or $38,016 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 or Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses graduates earn more?
Saint Mary's College graduates report a median $59,354 ten years after entry, $2,189 more than the $57,165 at Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses. 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 or Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses?
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Mary's College, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at Saint Mary's College, against 0% at Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses. 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.