Head-to-head comparison
University of St Thomas vs Center for Advanced Legal Studies: which has better ROI?
Option A Houston, TX
University of St Thomas
- Net price / year
- $19,359
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,224
- Payback
- 7.1 yrs
Option B Houston, TX
Center for Advanced Legal Studies
- Net price / year
- $13,959
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,561
- Payback
- 6.8 yrs
Center for Advanced Legal Studies has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,836 in 6.8 years versus 7.1 years at University of St Thomas, on median earnings of $56,561 vs $59,224 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of St Thomas | Center for Advanced Legal Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,359 | $13,959 |
| Total net cost | $77,436 | $55,836 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,224 | $56,561 |
| Median debt | $19,928 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | 6.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $139,844 | $108,184 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of St Thomas or Center for Advanced Legal Studies?
Center for Advanced Legal Studies, at $13,959 a year after aid versus $19,359 — a gap of $5,400 a year, or $21,600 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 St Thomas or Center for Advanced Legal Studies graduates earn more?
University of St Thomas graduates report a median $59,224 ten years after entry, $2,663 more than the $56,561 at Center for Advanced Legal Studies. 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 St Thomas or Center for Advanced Legal Studies?
Center for Advanced Legal Studies: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,928 at University of St Thomas, a difference of $10,428. 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 University of St Thomas, against 62% at Center for Advanced Legal Studies. 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.