University of St Thomas vs Carleton College: which has better ROI?
Carleton College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,628 in 3.7 years versus 4.6 years at University of St Thomas, on median earnings of $75,525 vs $73,739 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of St Thomas | Carleton College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,155 | $25,407 |
| Total net cost | $116,620 | $101,628 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,739 | $75,525 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $16,750 |
| Payback | 4.6 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $390,960 | $441,672 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or Carleton College?
Carleton College, at $25,407 a year after aid versus $29,155 — a gap of $3,748 a year, or $14,992 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 Carleton College graduates earn more?
Carleton College graduates report a median $75,525 ten years after entry, $1,786 more than the $73,739 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 Carleton College?
Carleton College: its completers carry a median $16,750 in federal loans versus $23,250 at University of St Thomas, a difference of $6,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at Carleton College, against 76% at University of St Thomas. 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.