SUNY Old Westbury vs Iona University: which has better ROI?
SUNY Old Westbury has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $45,128 in 4.4 years versus 4.6 years at Iona University, on median earnings of $58,526 vs $73,595 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | SUNY Old Westbury | Iona University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,282 | $29,188 |
| Total net cost | $45,128 | $116,752 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,526 | $73,595 |
| Median debt | $14,997 | $25,999 |
| Payback | 4.4 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $158,192 | $387,948 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, SUNY Old Westbury or Iona University?
SUNY Old Westbury, at $11,282 a year after aid versus $29,188 — a gap of $17,906 a year, or $71,624 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do SUNY Old Westbury or Iona University graduates earn more?
Iona University graduates report a median $73,595 ten years after entry, $15,069 more than the $58,526 at SUNY Old Westbury. 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, SUNY Old Westbury or Iona University?
SUNY Old Westbury: its completers carry a median $14,997 in federal loans versus $25,999 at Iona University, a difference of $11,002. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Iona University, against 45% at SUNY Old Westbury. 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.