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University of Chicago vs University of St Francis: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Chicago IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Joliet IL

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

The verdict

University of Chicago has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,440 in 1.4 years versus 3.3 years at University of St Francis, on median earnings of $91,885 vs $63,926 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of ChicagoUniversity of St Francis
Net price / yr$14,860$13,006
Total net cost$59,440$52,024
Median earnings, 10 yrs$91,885$63,926
Median debt$15,000$21,079
Payback1.4 yrs3.3 yrs
20-year net return$811,060$259,296

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

Which is cheaper, University of Chicago or University of St Francis?

University of St Francis, at $13,006 a year after aid versus $14,860 — a gap of $1,854 a year, or $7,416 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Chicago or University of St Francis graduates earn more?

University of Chicago graduates report a median $91,885 ten years after entry, $27,959 more than the $63,926 at University of St Francis. 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, University of Chicago or University of St Francis?

University of Chicago: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $21,079 at University of St Francis, a difference of $6,079. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

96% of students finish at University of Chicago, against 67% at University of St Francis. 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.

University of Chicago vs University of St Francis: frequently asked questions

Is University of Chicago or University of St Francis a better value?
University of Chicago. It clears its $59,440 net cost in about 1.4 years versus 3.3 years at University of St Francis, on median earnings of $91,885 vs $63,926 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Chicago or University of St Francis?
University of St Francis: $13,006/yr net price after aid versus $14,860/yr at University of Chicago — a difference of $1,854 a year, or about $7,416 over four years.
Do University of Chicago or University of St Francis graduates earn more?
University of Chicago graduates earn a median $91,885 ten years after entry, versus $63,926 at University of St Francis — a $27,959 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.