University of St Thomas vs Gustavus Adolphus College: which has better ROI?
University of St Thomas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,620 in 4.6 years versus 5.3 years at Gustavus Adolphus College, on median earnings of $73,739 vs $65,607 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of St Thomas | Gustavus Adolphus College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,155 | $22,900 |
| Total net cost | $116,620 | $91,600 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,739 | $65,607 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $26,774 |
| Payback | 4.6 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $390,960 | $253,340 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or Gustavus Adolphus College?
Gustavus Adolphus College, at $22,900 a year after aid versus $29,155 — a gap of $6,255 a year, or $25,020 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 Gustavus Adolphus College graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates report a median $73,739 ten years after entry, $8,132 more than the $65,607 at Gustavus Adolphus 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 St Thomas or Gustavus Adolphus College?
University of St Thomas: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $26,774 at Gustavus Adolphus College, a difference of $3,524. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Gustavus Adolphus 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.