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Azusa Pacific University vs Menlo College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Azusa CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Atherton CA

The verdict

Menlo College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $124,400 in 4.4 years versus 4.9 years at Azusa Pacific University, on median earnings of $76,419 vs $66,677 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAzusa Pacific UniversityMenlo College
Net price / yr$22,212$31,100
Total net cost$88,848$124,400
Median earnings, 10 yrs$66,677$76,419
Median debt$23,219$21,750
Payback4.9 yrs4.4 yrs
20-year net return$277,492$436,780

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Azusa Pacific University or Menlo College?

Azusa Pacific University, at $22,212 a year after aid versus $31,100 — a gap of $8,888 a year, or $35,552 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Azusa Pacific University or Menlo College graduates earn more?

Menlo College graduates report a median $76,419 ten years after entry, $9,742 more than the $66,677 at Azusa Pacific 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, Azusa Pacific University or Menlo College?

Menlo College: its completers carry a median $21,750 in federal loans versus $23,219 at Azusa Pacific University, a difference of $1,469. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

62% of students finish at Azusa Pacific University, against 54% at Menlo College. 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.

Azusa Pacific University vs Menlo College: frequently asked questions

Is Azusa Pacific University or Menlo College a better value?
Menlo College. It clears its $124,400 net cost in about 4.4 years versus 4.9 years at Azusa Pacific University, on median earnings of $76,419 vs $66,677 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Azusa Pacific University or Menlo College?
Azusa Pacific University: $22,212/yr net price after aid versus $31,100/yr at Menlo College — a difference of $8,888 a year, or about $35,552 over four years.
Do Azusa Pacific University or Menlo College graduates earn more?
Menlo College graduates earn a median $76,419 ten years after entry, versus $66,677 at Azusa Pacific University — a $9,742 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.