University of Rochester vs St. John Fisher University: which has better ROI?
University of Rochester has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $117,112 in 3.8 years versus 6.2 years at St. John Fisher University, on median earnings of $79,042 vs $66,944 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Rochester | St. John Fisher University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,278 | $28,945 |
| Total net cost | $117,112 | $115,780 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $79,042 | $66,944 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 6.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $496,528 | $255,900 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Rochester or St. John Fisher University?
St. John Fisher University, at $28,945 a year after aid versus $29,278 — a gap of $333 a year, or $1,332 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 Rochester or St. John Fisher University graduates earn more?
University of Rochester graduates report a median $79,042 ten years after entry, $12,098 more than the $66,944 at St. John Fisher 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, University of Rochester or St. John Fisher University?
University of Rochester: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at St. John Fisher University, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at University of Rochester, against 74% at St. John Fisher 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.