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Head-to-head comparison

Carnegie Mellon University vs Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Pittsburgh PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Lancaster PA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University

Net price / year
$31,944
Earnings, 10 years
$114,862
Payback
1.9 yrs

Option B Lancaster, PA

Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster

Net price / year
$42,478
Earnings, 10 years
$86,881
Payback
2.2 yrs
The verdict

Carnegie Mellon University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $127,776 in 1.9 years versus 2.2 years at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster, on median earnings of $114,862 vs $86,881 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCarnegie Mellon UniversitySaint Joseph's University - Lancaster
Net price / yr$31,944$42,478
Total net cost$127,776$84,956
Median earnings, 10 yrs$114,862$86,881
Median debt$21,750$25,500
Payback1.9 yrs2.2 yrs
20-year net return$1,202,264$685,464

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?

Carnegie Mellon University, at $31,944 a year after aid versus $42,478 — a gap of $10,534 a year, or $42,820 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Carnegie Mellon University or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates earn more?

Carnegie Mellon University graduates report a median $114,862 ten years after entry, $27,981 more than the $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster. 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.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Carnegie Mellon University or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?

Carnegie Mellon University: its completers carry a median $21,750 in federal loans versus $25,500 at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster, a difference of $3,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at Carnegie Mellon University, against 69% at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster. 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.

Carnegie Mellon University vs Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster: frequently asked questions

Is Carnegie Mellon University or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster a better value?
Carnegie Mellon University. It clears its $127,776 net cost in about 1.9 years versus 2.2 years at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster, on median earnings of $114,862 vs $86,881 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster?
Carnegie Mellon University: $31,944/yr net price after aid versus $42,478/yr at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster — a difference of $10,534 a year, or about $42,820 over four years.
Do Carnegie Mellon University or Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates earn more?
Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn a median $114,862 ten years after entry, versus $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster — a $27,981 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.