University of Dayton vs Mercy College of Ohio: which has better ROI?
Mercy College of Ohio has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,956 in 4.2 years versus 4.3 years at University of Dayton, on median earnings of $65,409 vs $75,537 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Dayton | Mercy College of Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,533 | $17,989 |
| Total net cost | $118,132 | $71,956 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,537 | $65,409 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $20,834 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $425,408 | $269,024 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Dayton or Mercy College of Ohio?
Mercy College of Ohio, at $17,989 a year after aid versus $29,533 — a gap of $11,544 a year, or $46,176 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 Dayton or Mercy College of Ohio graduates earn more?
University of Dayton graduates report a median $75,537 ten years after entry, $10,128 more than the $65,409 at Mercy College of Ohio. 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 Dayton or Mercy College of Ohio?
Mercy College of Ohio: its completers carry a median $20,834 in federal loans versus $23,250 at University of Dayton, a difference of $2,416. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at University of Dayton, against 56% at Mercy College of Ohio. 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.