Stevenson University vs McDaniel College: which has better ROI?
McDaniel College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $87,664 in 7.1 years versus 7.7 years at Stevenson University, on median earnings of $60,663 vs $62,079 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Stevenson University | McDaniel College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,505 | $21,916 |
| Total net cost | $106,020 | $87,664 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,079 | $60,663 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 7.7 yrs | 7.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $168,360 | $158,396 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Stevenson University or McDaniel College?
McDaniel College, at $21,916 a year after aid versus $26,505 — a gap of $4,589 a year, or $18,356 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Stevenson University or McDaniel College graduates earn more?
Stevenson University graduates report a median $62,079 ten years after entry, $1,416 more than the $60,663 at McDaniel 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, Stevenson University or McDaniel College?
McDaniel College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Stevenson University, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Stevenson University, against 63% at McDaniel 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.