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Temple University vs Waynesburg University: which has better ROI?

Public, Philadelphia PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Waynesburg PA

The verdict

Waynesburg University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,940 in 7.2 years versus 7.3 years at Temple University, on median earnings of $58,537 vs $63,727 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTemple UniversityWaynesburg University
Net price / yr$28,198$18,235
Total net cost$112,792$72,940
Median earnings, 10 yrs$63,727$58,537
Median debt$24,395$27,000
Payback7.3 yrs7.2 yrs
20-year net return$194,548$130,600

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Temple University or Waynesburg University?

Waynesburg University, at $18,235 a year after aid versus $28,198 — a gap of $9,963 a year, or $39,852 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Temple University or Waynesburg University graduates earn more?

Temple University graduates report a median $63,727 ten years after entry, $5,190 more than the $58,537 at Waynesburg 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, Temple University or Waynesburg University?

Temple University: its completers carry a median $24,395 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Waynesburg University, a difference of $2,605. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at Temple University, against 66% at Waynesburg 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.

Temple University vs Waynesburg University: frequently asked questions

Is Temple University or Waynesburg University a better value?
Waynesburg University. It clears its $72,940 net cost in about 7.2 years versus 7.3 years at Temple University, on median earnings of $58,537 vs $63,727 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Temple University or Waynesburg University?
Waynesburg University: $18,235/yr net price after aid versus $28,198/yr at Temple University — a difference of $9,963 a year, or about $39,852 over four years.
Do Temple University or Waynesburg University graduates earn more?
Temple University graduates earn a median $63,727 ten years after entry, versus $58,537 at Waynesburg University — a $5,190 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.