University of St Thomas vs Austin College: which has better ROI?
Austin College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $84,428 in 6.5 years versus 7.1 years at University of St Thomas, on median earnings of $61,296 vs $59,224 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of St Thomas | Austin College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,359 | $21,107 |
| Total net cost | $77,436 | $84,428 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,224 | $61,296 |
| Median debt | $19,928 | $24,500 |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $139,844 | $174,292 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or Austin College?
University of St Thomas, at $19,359 a year after aid versus $21,107 — a gap of $1,748 a year, or $6,992 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 St Thomas or Austin College graduates earn more?
Austin College graduates report a median $61,296 ten years after entry, $2,072 more than the $59,224 at University of St Thomas. 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 St Thomas or Austin College?
University of St Thomas: its completers carry a median $19,928 in federal loans versus $24,500 at Austin College, a difference of $4,572. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at University of St Thomas, against 67% at Austin 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.