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Head-to-head comparison

Gustavus Adolphus College vs The College of Saint Scholastica: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Saint Peter MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Duluth MN

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

Option A Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College

Net price / year
$22,900
Earnings, 10 years
$65,607
Payback
5.3 yrs

Option B Duluth, MN

The College of Saint Scholastica

Net price / year
$27,846
Earnings, 10 years
$65,934
Payback
6.3 yrs
The verdict

Gustavus Adolphus College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,600 in 5.3 years versus 6.3 years at The College of Saint Scholastica, on median earnings of $65,607 vs $65,934 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGustavus Adolphus CollegeThe College of Saint Scholastica
Net price / yr$22,900$27,846
Total net cost$91,600$111,384
Median earnings, 10 yrs$65,607$65,934
Median debt$26,774$20,000
Payback5.3 yrs6.3 yrs
20-year net return$253,340$240,096

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Gustavus Adolphus College or The College of Saint Scholastica?

Gustavus Adolphus College, at $22,900 a year after aid versus $27,846 — a gap of $4,946 a year, or $19,784 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 Gustavus Adolphus College or The College of Saint Scholastica graduates earn more?

The College of Saint Scholastica graduates report a median $65,934 ten years after entry, $327 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.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Gustavus Adolphus College or The College of Saint Scholastica?

The College of Saint Scholastica: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $26,774 at Gustavus Adolphus College, a difference of $6,774. 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?

77% of students finish at Gustavus Adolphus College, against 71% at The College of Saint Scholastica. 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.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs The College of Saint Scholastica: frequently asked questions

Is Gustavus Adolphus College or The College of Saint Scholastica a better value?
Gustavus Adolphus College. It clears its $91,600 net cost in about 5.3 years versus 6.3 years at The College of Saint Scholastica, on median earnings of $65,607 vs $65,934 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Gustavus Adolphus College or The College of Saint Scholastica?
Gustavus Adolphus College: $22,900/yr net price after aid versus $27,846/yr at The College of Saint Scholastica — a difference of $4,946 a year, or about $19,784 over four years.
Do Gustavus Adolphus College or The College of Saint Scholastica graduates earn more?
The College of Saint Scholastica graduates earn a median $65,934 ten years after entry, versus $65,607 at Gustavus Adolphus College — a $327 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.