Skidmore College vs St Lawrence University: which has better ROI?
St Lawrence University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,604 in 6.1 years versus 6.2 years at Skidmore College, on median earnings of $67,258 vs $69,363 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Skidmore College | St Lawrence University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,297 | $28,651 |
| Total net cost | $129,188 | $114,604 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,363 | $67,258 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.2 yrs | 6.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $290,872 | $263,356 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Skidmore College or St Lawrence University?
St Lawrence University, at $28,651 a year after aid versus $32,297 — a gap of $3,646 a year, or $14,584 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Skidmore College or St Lawrence University graduates earn more?
Skidmore College graduates report a median $69,363 ten years after entry, $2,105 more than the $67,258 at St Lawrence 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, Skidmore College or St Lawrence University?
Skidmore College: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at St Lawrence University, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at Skidmore College, against 79% at St Lawrence 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.