Head-to-head comparison
Norwich University vs Saint Michael's College: which has better ROI?
Option A Northfield, VT
Norwich University
- Net price / year
- $22,257
- Earnings, 10 years
- $65,575
- Payback
- 5.2 yrs
Option B Colchester, VT
Saint Michael's College
- Net price / year
- $25,239
- Earnings, 10 years
- $61,317
- Payback
- 7.8 yrs
Norwich University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,028 in 5.2 years versus 7.8 years at Saint Michael's College, on median earnings of $65,575 vs $61,317 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Norwich University | Saint Michael's College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,257 | $25,239 |
| Total net cost | $89,028 | $100,956 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,575 | $61,317 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,922 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $255,272 | $158,184 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Norwich University or Saint Michael's College?
Norwich University, at $22,257 a year after aid versus $25,239 — a gap of $2,982 a year, or $11,928 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 Norwich University or Saint Michael's College graduates earn more?
Norwich University graduates report a median $65,575 ten years after entry, $4,258 more than the $61,317 at Saint Michael's 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, Norwich University or Saint Michael's College?
Norwich University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,922 at Saint Michael's College, a difference of $1,922. 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?
73% of students finish at Saint Michael's College, against 60% at Norwich 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.