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University of San Francisco vs Menlo College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, San Francisco CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Atherton CA

The verdict

University of San Francisco has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $165,724 in 4 years versus 4.4 years at Menlo College, on median earnings of $89,812 vs $76,419 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of San FranciscoMenlo College
Net price / yr$41,431$31,100
Total net cost$165,724$124,400
Median earnings, 10 yrs$89,812$76,419
Median debt$23,000$21,750
Payback4 yrs4.4 yrs
20-year net return$663,316$436,780

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

Which is cheaper, University of San Francisco or Menlo College?

Menlo College, at $31,100 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $10,331 a year, or $41,324 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 San Francisco or Menlo College graduates earn more?

University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $13,393 more than the $76,419 at Menlo 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 San Francisco or Menlo College?

Menlo College: its completers carry a median $21,750 in federal loans versus $23,000 at University of San Francisco, a difference of $1,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at University of San Francisco, against 54% at Menlo 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 San Francisco vs Menlo College: frequently asked questions

Is University of San Francisco or Menlo College a better value?
University of San Francisco. It clears its $165,724 net cost in about 4 years versus 4.4 years at Menlo College, on median earnings of $89,812 vs $76,419 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of San Francisco or Menlo College?
Menlo College: $31,100/yr net price after aid versus $41,431/yr at University of San Francisco — a difference of $10,331 a year, or about $41,324 over four years.
Do University of San Francisco or Menlo College graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn a median $89,812 ten years after entry, versus $76,419 at Menlo College — a $13,393 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.