Head-to-head · 2026
Chadron State College vs College of Saint Mary
Compare average net price ($12,549 at Chadron State College; $16,590 at College of Saint Mary), ROI score (9.36 vs 8.19), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,002 vs $54,338), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Chadron State College; 44.7% at College of Saint Mary) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Chadron State College | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.36 ✓ | 8.19 |
| Avg net price | $12,549 ✓ | $16,590 |
| 4-year avg net price | $50,196 ✓ | $66,360 |
| In-state tuition | $8,290 | $24,510 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,290 | $24,510 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,002 | $54,338 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 44.7% |
| Graduation rate | 50.4% | 60.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.2% | 79.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,875 ✓ | $24,250 |
| Enrollment | 1,540 | 445 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1150 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Chadron State College | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,047 ✓ | $14,090 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,090 ✓ | $12,713 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,561 | $9,320 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,674 ✓ | $15,242 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,047 ✓ | $23,898 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Chadron State College | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 21.7% | 4.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.1% | 7.7% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 6.3% | 3.2% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 4.4% | 1.8% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.5% | 3.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 4.8% | 0.3% |
| Biology, General | 2.5% | 2.1% |
| Psychology, General | 3.7% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Chadron State College reports the lower average net price by $4,041 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,164 difference over four years ($50,196 vs $66,360).
College of Saint Mary reports $7,336 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,338 vs $47,002). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.2% at Chadron State College and 79.8% at College of Saint Mary. Median federal debt among completers is $18,875 vs $24,250, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Chadron State College vs College of Saint Mary, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Chadron State College is cheaper — average net price $12,549 per year vs $16,590 at College of Saint Mary. The annual difference of $4,041 adds up to about $16,164 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of Saint Mary reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,338 vs $47,002 at Chadron State College. The gap in the federal data is $7,336. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.