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Southern Adventist University vs Maryville College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Collegedale TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Maryville TN

The verdict

Southern Adventist University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,380 in 18.2 years versus 84.3 years at Maryville College, on median earnings of $53,723 vs $49,279 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthern Adventist UniversityMaryville College
Net price / yr$24,345$19,360
Total net cost$97,380$77,440
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,723$49,279
Median debt$24,500$25,375
Payback18.2 yrs84.3 yrs
20-year net return$9,880-$59,060

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

Which is cheaper, Southern Adventist University or Maryville College?

Maryville College, at $19,360 a year after aid versus $24,345 — a gap of $4,985 a year, or $19,940 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southern Adventist University or Maryville College graduates earn more?

Southern Adventist University graduates report a median $53,723 ten years after entry, $4,444 more than the $49,279 at Maryville College. 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, Southern Adventist University or Maryville College?

Southern Adventist University: its completers carry a median $24,500 in federal loans versus $25,375 at Maryville College, a difference of $875. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

50% of students finish at Maryville College, against 49% at Southern Adventist 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.

Southern Adventist University vs Maryville College: frequently asked questions

Is Southern Adventist University or Maryville College a better value?
Southern Adventist University. It clears its $97,380 net cost in about 18.2 years versus 84.3 years at Maryville College, on median earnings of $53,723 vs $49,279 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Southern Adventist University or Maryville College?
Maryville College: $19,360/yr net price after aid versus $24,345/yr at Southern Adventist University — a difference of $4,985 a year, or about $19,940 over four years.
Do Southern Adventist University or Maryville College graduates earn more?
Southern Adventist University graduates earn a median $53,723 ten years after entry, versus $49,279 at Maryville College — a $4,444 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.