University of Scranton vs Washington & Jefferson College: which has better ROI?
University of Scranton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $130,272 in 5 years versus 5.1 years at Washington & Jefferson College, on median earnings of $74,652 vs $67,918 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Scranton | Washington & Jefferson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,568 | $25,002 |
| Total net cost | $130,272 | $100,008 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $74,652 | $67,918 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | 5.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $395,568 | $291,152 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Scranton or Washington & Jefferson College?
Washington & Jefferson College, at $25,002 a year after aid versus $32,568 — a gap of $7,566 a year, or $30,264 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 Scranton or Washington & Jefferson College graduates earn more?
University of Scranton graduates report a median $74,652 ten years after entry, $6,734 more than the $67,918 at Washington & Jefferson 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 Scranton or Washington & Jefferson College?
Completers at both borrow a median $27,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at University of Scranton, against 70% at Washington & Jefferson 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.