Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

St. John's University-New York vs Pace University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Queens NY · vs · Private nonprofit, New York NY

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

Option A Queens, NY

St. John's University-New York

Net price / year
$29,999
Earnings, 10 years
$69,571
Payback
5.7 yrs

Option B New York, NY

Pace University

Net price / year
$30,892
Earnings, 10 years
$70,378
Payback
5.6 yrs
The verdict

Pace University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $123,568 in 5.6 years versus 5.7 years at St. John's University-New York, on median earnings of $70,378 vs $69,571 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureSt. John's University-New YorkPace University
Net price / yr$29,999$30,892
Total net cost$119,996$123,568
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,571$70,378
Median debt$25,000$23,250
Payback5.7 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$304,224$316,792

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, St. John's University-New York or Pace University?

St. John's University-New York, at $29,999 a year after aid versus $30,892 — a gap of $893 a year, or $3,572 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 St. John's University-New York or Pace University graduates earn more?

Pace University graduates report a median $70,378 ten years after entry, $807 more than the $69,571 at St. John's University-New York. 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, St. John's University-New York or Pace University?

Pace University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $25,000 at St. John's University-New York, a difference of $1,750. 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?

66% of students finish at St. John's University-New York, against 60% at Pace 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.

St. John's University-New York vs Pace University: frequently asked questions

Is St. John's University-New York or Pace University a better value?
Pace University. It clears its $123,568 net cost in about 5.6 years versus 5.7 years at St. John's University-New York, on median earnings of $70,378 vs $69,571 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, St. John's University-New York or Pace University?
St. John's University-New York: $29,999/yr net price after aid versus $30,892/yr at Pace University — a difference of $893 a year, or about $3,572 over four years.
Do St. John's University-New York or Pace University graduates earn more?
Pace University graduates earn a median $70,378 ten years after entry, versus $69,571 at St. John's University-New York — a $807 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.