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Xavier University vs The College of Wooster: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Wooster OH

The verdict

Xavier University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $131,988 in 8 years versus 8.3 years at The College of Wooster, on median earnings of $64,873 vs $59,629 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureXavier UniversityThe College of Wooster
Net price / yr$32,997$23,458
Total net cost$131,988$93,832
Median earnings, 10 yrs$64,873$59,629
Median debt$23,250$26,500
Payback8 yrs8.3 yrs
20-year net return$198,272$131,548

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

Which is cheaper, Xavier University or The College of Wooster?

The College of Wooster, at $23,458 a year after aid versus $32,997 — a gap of $9,539 a year, or $38,156 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Xavier University or The College of Wooster graduates earn more?

Xavier University graduates report a median $64,873 ten years after entry, $5,244 more than the $59,629 at The College of Wooster. 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, Xavier University or The College of Wooster?

Xavier University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $26,500 at The College of Wooster, a difference of $3,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at The College of Wooster, against 69% at Xavier 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.

Xavier University vs The College of Wooster: frequently asked questions

Is Xavier University or The College of Wooster a better value?
Xavier University. It clears its $131,988 net cost in about 8 years versus 8.3 years at The College of Wooster, on median earnings of $64,873 vs $59,629 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Xavier University or The College of Wooster?
The College of Wooster: $23,458/yr net price after aid versus $32,997/yr at Xavier University — a difference of $9,539 a year, or about $38,156 over four years.
Do Xavier University or The College of Wooster graduates earn more?
Xavier University graduates earn a median $64,873 ten years after entry, versus $59,629 at The College of Wooster — a $5,244 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.