Southwestern College vs Newman University: which has better ROI?
Newman University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $79,884 in 12 years versus 16.4 years at Southwestern College, on median earnings of $55,041 vs $55,646 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southwestern College | Newman University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,824 | $19,971 |
| Total net cost | $119,296 | $79,884 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,646 | $55,041 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $20,801 |
| Payback | 16.4 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $26,424 | $53,736 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southwestern College or Newman University?
Newman University, at $19,971 a year after aid versus $29,824 — a gap of $9,853 a year, or $39,412 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Southwestern College or Newman University graduates earn more?
Southwestern College graduates report a median $55,646 ten years after entry, $605 more than the $55,041 at Newman 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, Southwestern College or Newman University?
Newman University: its completers carry a median $20,801 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Southwestern College, a difference of $4,199. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at Newman University, against 36% at Southwestern College. 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.