St Catherine University vs College of Saint Benedict: which has better ROI?
College of Saint Benedict has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $106,560 in 7.2 years versus 7.2 years at St Catherine University, on median earnings of $63,260 vs $59,282 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | St Catherine University | College of Saint Benedict |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,764 | $26,640 |
| Total net cost | $79,056 | $106,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,282 | $63,260 |
| Median debt | $24,181 | $26,944 |
| Payback | 7.2 yrs | 7.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $139,384 | $191,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, St Catherine University or College of Saint Benedict?
St Catherine University, at $19,764 a year after aid versus $26,640 — a gap of $6,876 a year, or $27,504 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do St Catherine University or College of Saint Benedict graduates earn more?
College of Saint Benedict graduates report a median $63,260 ten years after entry, $3,978 more than the $59,282 at St Catherine 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, St Catherine University or College of Saint Benedict?
St Catherine University: its completers carry a median $24,181 in federal loans versus $26,944 at College of Saint Benedict, a difference of $2,763. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at College of Saint Benedict, against 61% at St Catherine 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.