Head-to-head comparison
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point vs Marian University: which has better ROI?
Option A Stevens Point, WI
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- Net price / year
- $14,559
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,021
- Payback
- 15.9 yrs
Option B Fond Du Lac, WI
Marian University
- Net price / year
- $21,937
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,501
- Payback
- 17.1 yrs
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $58,236 in 15.9 years versus 17.1 years at Marian University, on median earnings of $52,021 vs $53,501 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Marian University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,559 | $21,937 |
| Total net cost | $58,236 | $87,748 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,021 | $53,501 |
| Median debt | $21,503 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 15.9 yrs | 17.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $14,984 | $15,072 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point or Marian University?
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, at $14,559 a year after aid versus $21,937 — a gap of $7,378 a year, or $29,512 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 Wisconsin-Stevens Point or Marian University graduates earn more?
Marian University graduates report a median $53,501 ten years after entry, $1,480 more than the $52,021 at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 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 Wisconsin-Stevens Point or Marian University?
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: its completers carry a median $21,503 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Marian University, a difference of $3,497. 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?
51% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, against 44% at Marian 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.