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Trine University vs University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Angola IN · vs · Private nonprofit, Fort Wayne IN

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,784 in 10.4 years versus 11.5 years at Trine University, on median earnings of $55,362 vs $57,165 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTrine UniversityUniversity of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
Net price / yr$25,355$18,196
Total net cost$101,420$72,784
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,165$55,362
Median debt$25,000$25,976
Payback11.5 yrs10.4 yrs
20-year net return$74,680$67,256

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

Which is cheaper, Trine University or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne?

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, at $18,196 a year after aid versus $25,355 — a gap of $7,159 a year, or $28,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Trine University or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne graduates earn more?

Trine University graduates report a median $57,165 ten years after entry, $1,803 more than the $55,362 at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. 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, Trine University or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne?

Trine University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,976 at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, a difference of $976. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Trine University, against 55% at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. 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.

Trine University vs University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne: frequently asked questions

Is Trine University or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne a better value?
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. It clears its $72,784 net cost in about 10.4 years versus 11.5 years at Trine University, on median earnings of $55,362 vs $57,165 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Trine University or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne?
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne: $18,196/yr net price after aid versus $25,355/yr at Trine University — a difference of $7,159 a year, or about $28,636 over four years.
Do Trine University or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne graduates earn more?
Trine University graduates earn a median $57,165 ten years after entry, versus $55,362 at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne — a $1,803 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.