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Head-to-head comparison

Northwestern University vs University of St Francis: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Evanston IL · vs · Private nonprofit, Joliet IL

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

Option A Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Net price / year
$29,167
Earnings, 10 years
$89,363
Payback
2.8 yrs

Option B Joliet, IL

University of St Francis

Net price / year
$13,006
Earnings, 10 years
$63,926
Payback
3.3 yrs
The verdict

Northwestern University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,668 in 2.8 years versus 3.3 years at University of St Francis, on median earnings of $89,363 vs $63,926 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of St Francis
Net price / yr$29,167$13,006
Total net cost$116,668$52,024
Median earnings, 10 yrs$89,363$63,926
Median debt$15,000$21,079
Payback2.8 yrs3.3 yrs
20-year net return$703,392$259,296

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Northwestern University or University of St Francis?

University of St Francis, at $13,006 a year after aid versus $29,167 — a gap of $16,161 a year, or $64,644 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 Northwestern University or University of St Francis graduates earn more?

Northwestern University graduates report a median $89,363 ten years after entry, $25,437 more than the $63,926 at University of St Francis. 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, Northwestern University or University of St Francis?

Northwestern University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $21,079 at University of St Francis, a difference of $6,079. 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?

95% of students finish at Northwestern University, against 67% at University of St Francis. 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.

Northwestern University vs University of St Francis: frequently asked questions

Is Northwestern University or University of St Francis a better value?
Northwestern University. It clears its $116,668 net cost in about 2.8 years versus 3.3 years at University of St Francis, on median earnings of $89,363 vs $63,926 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Northwestern University or University of St Francis?
University of St Francis: $13,006/yr net price after aid versus $29,167/yr at Northwestern University — a difference of $16,161 a year, or about $64,644 over four years.
Do Northwestern University or University of St Francis graduates earn more?
Northwestern University graduates earn a median $89,363 ten years after entry, versus $63,926 at University of St Francis — a $25,437 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.