University of St Thomas vs Metropolitan State University: which has better ROI?
Metropolitan State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,452 in 4.1 years versus 4.6 years at University of St Thomas, on median earnings of $64,705 vs $73,739 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of St Thomas | Metropolitan State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,155 | $16,863 |
| Total net cost | $116,620 | $67,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,739 | $64,705 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $17,100 |
| Payback | 4.6 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $390,960 | $259,448 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or Metropolitan State University?
Metropolitan State University, at $16,863 a year after aid versus $29,155 — a gap of $12,292 a year, or $49,168 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 Metropolitan State University graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates report a median $73,739 ten years after entry, $9,034 more than the $64,705 at Metropolitan State University. 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 Metropolitan State University?
Metropolitan State University: its completers carry a median $17,100 in federal loans versus $23,250 at University of St Thomas, a difference of $6,150. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at University of St Thomas, against 44% at Metropolitan State University. 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.