Syracuse University vs St. Joseph's University-New York: which has better ROI?
St. Joseph's University-New York has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,140 in 4.9 years versus 5 years at Syracuse University, on median earnings of $63,905 vs $79,164 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Syracuse University | St. Joseph's University-New York |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,793 | $19,035 |
| Total net cost | $155,172 | $76,140 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $79,164 | $63,905 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $22,000 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | 4.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $460,908 | $234,760 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Syracuse University or St. Joseph's University-New York?
St. Joseph's University-New York, at $19,035 a year after aid versus $38,793 — a gap of $19,758 a year, or $79,032 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Syracuse University or St. Joseph's University-New York graduates earn more?
Syracuse University graduates report a median $79,164 ten years after entry, $15,259 more than the $63,905 at St. Joseph's University-New York. 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, Syracuse University or St. Joseph's University-New York?
St. Joseph's University-New York: its completers carry a median $22,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Syracuse University, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Syracuse University, against 69% at St. Joseph's University-New York. 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.