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University of Saint Mary vs Manhattan Area Technical College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Leavenworth KS · vs · Public, Manhattan KS

The verdict

University of Saint Mary has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,076 in 8.1 years versus 11.5 years at Manhattan Area Technical College, on median earnings of $59,483 vs $51,864 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Saint MaryManhattan Area Technical College
Net price / yr$22,519$10,074
Total net cost$90,076$40,296
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,483$51,864
Median debt$22,018$9,500
Payback8.1 yrs11.5 yrs
20-year net return$132,384$29,784

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

Which is cheaper, University of Saint Mary or Manhattan Area Technical College?

Manhattan Area Technical College, at $10,074 a year after aid versus $22,519 — a gap of $12,445 a year, or $49,780 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 Saint Mary or Manhattan Area Technical College graduates earn more?

University of Saint Mary graduates report a median $59,483 ten years after entry, $7,619 more than the $51,864 at Manhattan Area Technical College. 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 Saint Mary or Manhattan Area Technical College?

Manhattan Area Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $22,018 at University of Saint Mary, a difference of $12,518. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at Manhattan Area Technical College, against 48% at University of Saint Mary. 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 Saint Mary vs Manhattan Area Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Saint Mary or Manhattan Area Technical College a better value?
University of Saint Mary. It clears its $90,076 net cost in about 8.1 years versus 11.5 years at Manhattan Area Technical College, on median earnings of $59,483 vs $51,864 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Saint Mary or Manhattan Area Technical College?
Manhattan Area Technical College: $10,074/yr net price after aid versus $22,519/yr at University of Saint Mary — a difference of $12,445 a year, or about $49,780 over four years.
Do University of Saint Mary or Manhattan Area Technical College graduates earn more?
University of Saint Mary graduates earn a median $59,483 ten years after entry, versus $51,864 at Manhattan Area Technical College — a $7,619 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.