Head-to-head comparison
Saint Francis University vs UPMC Mercy School of Nursing: which has better ROI?
Option A Loretto, PA
Saint Francis University
- Net price / year
- $23,526
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,101
- Payback
- 6.8 yrs
Option B Pittsburgh, PA
UPMC Mercy School of Nursing
- Net price / year
- $33,159
- Earnings, 10 years
- $68,337
- Payback
- 6.6 yrs
UPMC Mercy School of Nursing has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $132,636 in 6.6 years versus 6.8 years at Saint Francis University, on median earnings of $68,337 vs $62,101 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saint Francis University | UPMC Mercy School of Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,526 | $33,159 |
| Total net cost | $94,104 | $132,636 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,101 | $68,337 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $14,750 |
| Payback | 6.8 yrs | 6.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $180,716 | $266,904 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Saint Francis University or UPMC Mercy School of Nursing?
Saint Francis University, at $23,526 a year after aid versus $33,159 — a gap of $9,633 a year, or $38,532 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 Saint Francis University or UPMC Mercy School of Nursing graduates earn more?
UPMC Mercy School of Nursing graduates report a median $68,337 ten years after entry, $6,236 more than the $62,101 at Saint Francis University. 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, Saint Francis University or UPMC Mercy School of Nursing?
UPMC Mercy School of Nursing: its completers carry a median $14,750 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Francis University, a difference of $12,250. 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?
74% of students finish at Saint Francis University, against 33% at UPMC Mercy School of Nursing. 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.