University of Dayton vs Wright State University-Main Campus: which has better ROI?
University of Dayton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,132 in 4.3 years versus 54.1 years at Wright State University-Main Campus, on median earnings of $75,537 vs $49,500 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Dayton | Wright State University-Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,533 | $15,415 |
| Total net cost | $118,132 | $61,660 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,537 | $49,500 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $22,750 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 54.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $425,408 | -$38,860 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Dayton or Wright State University-Main Campus?
Wright State University-Main Campus, at $15,415 a year after aid versus $29,533 — a gap of $14,118 a year, or $56,472 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 Wright State University-Main Campus graduates earn more?
University of Dayton graduates report a median $75,537 ten years after entry, $26,037 more than the $49,500 at Wright State University-Main Campus. 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 Wright State University-Main Campus?
Wright State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $22,750 in federal loans versus $23,250 at University of Dayton, a difference of $500. 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 42% at Wright State University-Main Campus. 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.