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Head-to-head comparison

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne vs Saint Mary's College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Fort Wayne IN · vs · Private nonprofit, Notre Dame IN

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

Option A Fort Wayne, IN

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne

Net price / year
$18,196
Earnings, 10 years
$55,362
Payback
10.4 yrs

Option B Notre Dame, IN

Saint Mary's College

Net price / year
$25,292
Earnings, 10 years
$59,354
Payback
9.2 yrs
The verdict

Saint Mary's College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,168 in 9.2 years versus 10.4 years at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, on median earnings of $59,354 vs $55,362 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Saint Francis-Fort WayneSaint Mary's College
Net price / yr$18,196$25,292
Total net cost$72,784$101,168
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,362$59,354
Median debt$25,976$27,000
Payback10.4 yrs9.2 yrs
20-year net return$67,256$118,712

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne or Saint Mary's College?

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, at $18,196 a year after aid versus $25,292 — a gap of $7,096 a year, or $28,384 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 University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne or Saint Mary's College graduates earn more?

Saint Mary's College graduates report a median $59,354 ten years after entry, $3,992 more than the $55,362 at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. 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, University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne or Saint Mary's College?

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne: its completers carry a median $25,976 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Mary's College, a difference of $1,024. 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?

69% of students finish at Saint Mary's College, against 55% at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne. 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.

University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne vs Saint Mary's College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne or Saint Mary's College a better value?
Saint Mary's College. It clears its $101,168 net cost in about 9.2 years versus 10.4 years at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne, on median earnings of $59,354 vs $55,362 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne or Saint Mary's College?
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne: $18,196/yr net price after aid versus $25,292/yr at Saint Mary's College — a difference of $7,096 a year, or about $28,384 over four years.
Do University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne or Saint Mary's College graduates earn more?
Saint Mary's College graduates earn a median $59,354 ten years after entry, versus $55,362 at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne — a $3,992 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.