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University of San Francisco vs Saint Mary's College of California: which has better ROI?

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

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

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 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $89,812 vs $78,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of San FranciscoSaint Mary's College of California
Net price / yr$41,431$30,378
Total net cost$165,724$121,512
Median earnings, 10 yrs$89,812$78,812
Median debt$23,000$23,691
Payback4 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$663,316$487,528

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

Which is cheaper, University of San Francisco or Saint Mary's College of California?

Saint Mary's College of California, at $30,378 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $11,053 a year, or $44,212 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 Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn more?

University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $11,000 more than the $78,812 at Saint Mary's College of California. 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 Saint Mary's College of California?

University of San Francisco: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $23,691 at Saint Mary's College of California, a difference of $691. 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 Saint Mary's College of California, against 70% at University of San Francisco. 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 Saint Mary's College of California: frequently asked questions

Is University of San Francisco or Saint Mary's College of California a better value?
University of San Francisco. It clears its $165,724 net cost in about 4 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $89,812 vs $78,812 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of San Francisco or Saint Mary's College of California?
Saint Mary's College of California: $30,378/yr net price after aid versus $41,431/yr at University of San Francisco — a difference of $11,053 a year, or about $44,212 over four years.
Do University of San Francisco or Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn a median $89,812 ten years after entry, versus $78,812 at Saint Mary's College of California — a $11,000 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.