Head-to-head comparison
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion vs University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne: which has better ROI?
Option A Marion, IN
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
- Net price / year
- $22,866
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,986
- Payback
- 7.9 yrs
Option B Fort Wayne, IN
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
- Net price / year
- $18,196
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,362
- Payback
- 10.4 yrs
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,464 in 7.9 years versus 10.4 years at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, on median earnings of $59,986 vs $55,362 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion | University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,866 | $18,196 |
| Total net cost | $91,464 | $72,784 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,986 | $55,362 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $25,976 |
| Payback | 7.9 yrs | 10.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $141,056 | $67,256 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne?
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, at $18,196 a year after aid versus $22,866 — a gap of $4,670 a year, or $18,680 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 Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne graduates earn more?
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion graduates report a median $59,986 ten years after entry, $4,624 more than the $55,362 at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. 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, Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion or University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne?
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $25,976 at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, a difference of $1,726. 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?
67% of students finish at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion, against 55% at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. 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.