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Wright State University-Main Campus vs Defiance College: which has better ROI?

Public, Dayton OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Defiance OH

The verdict

Wright State University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $61,660 in 54.1 years versus 106.3 years at Defiance College, on median earnings of $49,500 vs $49,351 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWright State University-Main CampusDefiance College
Net price / yr$15,415$26,337
Total net cost$61,660$105,348
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,500$49,351
Median debt$22,750$26,813
Payback54.1 yrs106.3 yrs
20-year net return-$38,860-$85,528

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Wright State University-Main Campus or Defiance College?

Wright State University-Main Campus, at $15,415 a year after aid versus $26,337 — a gap of $10,922 a year, or $43,688 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wright State University-Main Campus or Defiance College graduates earn more?

Wright State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $49,500 ten years after entry, $149 more than the $49,351 at Defiance 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, Wright State University-Main Campus or Defiance College?

Wright State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $22,750 in federal loans versus $26,813 at Defiance College, a difference of $4,063. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

42% of students finish at Wright State University-Main Campus, against 31% at Defiance 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.

Wright State University-Main Campus vs Defiance College: frequently asked questions

Is Wright State University-Main Campus or Defiance College a better value?
Wright State University-Main Campus. It clears its $61,660 net cost in about 54.1 years versus 106.3 years at Defiance College, on median earnings of $49,500 vs $49,351 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Wright State University-Main Campus or Defiance College?
Wright State University-Main Campus: $15,415/yr net price after aid versus $26,337/yr at Defiance College — a difference of $10,922 a year, or about $43,688 over four years.
Do Wright State University-Main Campus or Defiance College graduates earn more?
Wright State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median $49,500 ten years after entry, versus $49,351 at Defiance College — a $149 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.