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The College of New Jersey vs Saint Peter's University: which has better ROI?

Public, Ewing NJ · vs · Private nonprofit, Jersey City NJ

The verdict

The College of New Jersey has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $110,584 in 4.4 years versus 5.2 years at Saint Peter's University, on median earnings of $73,323 vs $57,815 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe College of New JerseySaint Peter's University
Net price / yr$27,646$12,199
Total net cost$110,584$48,796
Median earnings, 10 yrs$73,323$57,815
Median debt$23,250$20,500
Payback4.4 yrs5.2 yrs
20-year net return$388,676$140,304

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

Which is cheaper, The College of New Jersey or Saint Peter's University?

Saint Peter's University, at $12,199 a year after aid versus $27,646 — a gap of $15,447 a year, or $61,788 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do The College of New Jersey or Saint Peter's University graduates earn more?

The College of New Jersey graduates report a median $73,323 ten years after entry, $15,508 more than the $57,815 at Saint Peter's 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, The College of New Jersey or Saint Peter's University?

Saint Peter's University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at The College of New Jersey, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

86% of students finish at The College of New Jersey, against 58% at Saint Peter's 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.

The College of New Jersey vs Saint Peter's University: frequently asked questions

Is The College of New Jersey or Saint Peter's University a better value?
The College of New Jersey. It clears its $110,584 net cost in about 4.4 years versus 5.2 years at Saint Peter's University, on median earnings of $73,323 vs $57,815 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, The College of New Jersey or Saint Peter's University?
Saint Peter's University: $12,199/yr net price after aid versus $27,646/yr at The College of New Jersey — a difference of $15,447 a year, or about $61,788 over four years.
Do The College of New Jersey or Saint Peter's University graduates earn more?
The College of New Jersey graduates earn a median $73,323 ten years after entry, versus $57,815 at Saint Peter's University — a $15,508 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.