Head-to-head comparison
Metropolitan State University vs Concordia University-Saint Paul: which has better ROI?
Option A Saint Paul, MN
Metropolitan State University
- Net price / year
- $16,863
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,705
- Payback
- 4.1 yrs
Option B Saint Paul, MN
Concordia University-Saint Paul
- Net price / year
- $18,462
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,871
- Payback
- 6.4 yrs
Metropolitan State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,452 in 4.1 years versus 6.4 years at Concordia University-Saint Paul, on median earnings of $64,705 vs $59,871 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Metropolitan State University | Concordia University-Saint Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,863 | $18,462 |
| Total net cost | $67,452 | $73,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,705 | $59,871 |
| Median debt | $17,100 | $17,832 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 6.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $259,448 | $156,372 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Metropolitan State University or Concordia University-Saint Paul?
Metropolitan State University, at $16,863 a year after aid versus $18,462 — a gap of $1,599 a year, or $6,396 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 Metropolitan State University or Concordia University-Saint Paul graduates earn more?
Metropolitan State University graduates report a median $64,705 ten years after entry, $4,834 more than the $59,871 at Concordia University-Saint Paul. 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, Metropolitan State University or Concordia University-Saint Paul?
Metropolitan State University: its completers carry a median $17,100 in federal loans versus $17,832 at Concordia University-Saint Paul, a difference of $732. 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?
46% of students finish at Concordia University-Saint Paul, against 44% at Metropolitan State 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.