St Lawrence University vs Hobart William Smith Colleges: 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 Hobart William Smith Colleges, on median earnings of $67,258 vs $68,831 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | St Lawrence University | Hobart William Smith Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,651 | $31,563 |
| Total net cost | $114,604 | $126,252 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,258 | $68,831 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.1 yrs | 6.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $263,356 | $283,168 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, St Lawrence University or Hobart William Smith Colleges?
St Lawrence University, at $28,651 a year after aid versus $31,563 — a gap of $2,912 a year, or $11,648 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 Lawrence University or Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates earn more?
Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates report a median $68,831 ten years after entry, $1,573 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, St Lawrence University or Hobart William Smith Colleges?
Completers at both borrow a median $27,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at St Lawrence University, against 77% at Hobart William Smith Colleges. 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.