Head-to-head comparison
University of Scranton vs Washington & Jefferson College: which has better ROI?
Option A Scranton, PA
University of Scranton
- Net price / year
- $32,568
- Earnings, 10 years
- $74,652
- Payback
- 5 yrs
Option B Washington, PA
Washington & Jefferson College
- Net price / year
- $25,002
- Earnings, 10 years
- $67,918
- Payback
- 5.1 yrs
University of Scranton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $130,272 in 5 years versus 5.1 years at Washington & Jefferson College, on median earnings of $74,652 vs $67,918 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Scranton | Washington & Jefferson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,568 | $25,002 |
| Total net cost | $130,272 | $100,008 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $74,652 | $67,918 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | 5.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $395,568 | $291,152 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Scranton or Washington & Jefferson College?
Washington & Jefferson College, at $25,002 a year after aid versus $32,568 — a gap of $7,566 a year, or $30,264 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 Scranton or Washington & Jefferson College graduates earn more?
University of Scranton graduates report a median $74,652 ten years after entry, $6,734 more than the $67,918 at Washington & Jefferson 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, University of Scranton or Washington & Jefferson College?
Completers at both borrow a median $27,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at University of Scranton, against 70% at Washington & Jefferson College. 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.