College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Religious Colleges
Devout religious students often choose to attend schools associated with their faith. Some students are interested in pursuing careers with the church, but many students attend these colleges simply because they have excellent academic reputations and deliver an exceptional ROI.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: Santa Clara University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$876,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$303,000 | Graduation Rate:89% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$31,100 |
| Rank:2 | School Name: Duke University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$837,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$317,000 | Graduation Rate:97% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$25,400 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: Georgetown University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$834,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$321,000 | Graduation Rate:96% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,900 |
| Rank:4 | School Name: Lafayette College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$778,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$303,000 | Graduation Rate:89% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$33,400 |
| Rank:5 | School Name:_50px.png) Brigham Young University-Provo (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$776,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$80,100 | Graduation Rate:79% | Typical Years to Graduate:6 | Average Loan Amount:$21,800 |
| Rank:6 | School Name: University of Notre Dame (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$754,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$310,000 | Graduation Rate:96% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$29,600 |
| Rank:7 | School Name: Manhattan College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$746,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$270,000 | Graduation Rate:72% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$29,300 |
| Rank:8 | School Name: Villanova University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$721,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$308,000 | Graduation Rate:91% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$43,100 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Loyola University Maryland (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$688,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$283,000 | Graduation Rate:79% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$38,100 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: Fairfield University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$686,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$284,000 | Graduation Rate:84% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$37,000 |
Located in Provo, Utah, Brigham Young University — also known as BYU, or simply The Y — boasts a student population of more than 34,000 students, making it the largest religious university in the nation. Approximately 98 percent of students are members of the LDS Church, so religion features prominently on the 560-acre campus. BYU’s 11 colleges and schools offer programs in a wide range of fields, including engineering, the liberal arts, management, law and agriculture. Many prominent members of the LDS Church have graduated from BYU, and the school counts Twilight novelist Stephenie Meyer and top Jeopardy winner Ken Jennings among its alumni.
With its close ties to the Roman Catholic Church, Manhattan College offers a return on investment students and their families are sure to appreciate. The Bronx-based school offers well-regarded undergraduate programs in fields ranging from business to engineering to the sciences. In addition to being made up of five undergraduate schools, Manhattan College offers a number of pre-professional programs. Through the years, the college has produced many illustrious graduates, including former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani and prolific novelist James Patterson.
Marketing itself as “the Jesuit university in Silicon Valley,” Santa Clara University is made up of six colleges, including the Jesuit School of Theology and the Leavey School of Business. More than 40 Jesuit priests and brothers serve as teachers and administrators at the highly regarded school, which also offers more than 125 clubs and organizations for students.
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