Arizona Christian University vs Ottawa University-Surprise: which has better ROI?
Ottawa University-Surprise has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,572 in 18.6 years versus 40.4 years at Arizona Christian University, on median earnings of $55,552 vs $51,612 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona Christian University | Ottawa University-Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,839 | $33,393 |
| Total net cost | $131,356 | $133,572 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,612 | $55,552 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 40.4 yrs | 18.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$66,316 | $10,268 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arizona Christian University or Ottawa University-Surprise?
Arizona Christian University, at $32,839 a year after aid versus $33,393 — a gap of $554 a year, or $2,216 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Arizona Christian University or Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn more?
Ottawa University-Surprise graduates report a median $55,552 ten years after entry, $3,940 more than the $51,612 at Arizona Christian University. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Arizona Christian University or Ottawa University-Surprise?
Ottawa University-Surprise: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Arizona Christian University, a difference of $1,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at Arizona Christian University, against 18% at Ottawa University-Surprise. 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.