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John Paul the Great Catholic University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Escondido, CA · 286 students

The verdict

John Paul the Great Catholic University charges a net price of $34,666/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $138,664. Graduates earn a median $56,930 ten years after entry, $8,570/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 16.2 years — a 20-year net return of $32,736, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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John Paul the Great Catholic University's 16.2-year payback ranks #994 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 22% of them, and #109 of 334 in California.

Better ROI than 22% of US colleges#994 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$34,666
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$56,930
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
16.2 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
80%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
John Paul the Great Catholic University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$34,666/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$138,664our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$56,930Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$8,570/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$26,968Scorecard, 2026
Payback16.2 yrsour math
20-year net return$32,736our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

John Paul the Great Catholic University: frequently asked questions

Is John Paul the Great Catholic University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. John Paul the Great Catholic University charges $34,666/yr after aid ($138,664 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $56,930 ten years out — $8,570/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 16.2 years and returns $32,736 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a John Paul the Great Catholic University degree take to pay off?
About 16.2 years. We divide the $138,664 four-year net cost by the $8,570/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does John Paul the Great Catholic University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $34,666/yr — about $138,664 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does John Paul the Great Catholic University compare to other California colleges?
It ranks #109 of 334 California colleges we track by payback. Its $56,930 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $34,666 net price is above the national median of $16,906.