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University of Saint Mary vs Pratt Community College: which has better ROI?

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

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

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 years at Pratt Community College, on median earnings of $59,483 vs $51,892 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Saint MaryPratt Community College
Net price / yr$22,519$9,731
Total net cost$90,076$38,924
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,483$51,892
Median debt$22,018$6,500
Payback8.1 yrs11 yrs
20-year net return$132,384$31,716

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

Which is cheaper, University of Saint Mary or Pratt Community College?

Pratt Community College, at $9,731 a year after aid versus $22,519 — a gap of $12,788 a year, or $51,152 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 Pratt Community College graduates earn more?

University of Saint Mary graduates report a median $59,483 ten years after entry, $7,591 more than the $51,892 at Pratt Community 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 Pratt Community College?

Pratt Community College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $22,018 at University of Saint Mary, a difference of $15,518. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

48% of students finish at University of Saint Mary, against 45% at Pratt Community College. 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 Pratt Community College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Saint Mary or Pratt Community College a better value?
University of Saint Mary. It clears its $90,076 net cost in about 8.1 years versus 11 years at Pratt Community College, on median earnings of $59,483 vs $51,892 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Saint Mary or Pratt Community College?
Pratt Community College: $9,731/yr net price after aid versus $22,519/yr at University of Saint Mary — a difference of $12,788 a year, or about $51,152 over four years.
Do University of Saint Mary or Pratt Community College graduates earn more?
University of Saint Mary graduates earn a median $59,483 ten years after entry, versus $51,892 at Pratt Community College — a $7,591 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.