College of the Canyons vs Point Loma Nazarene University: which has better ROI?
Point Loma Nazarene University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $154,916 in 9.9 years versus 11.2 years at College of the Canyons, on median earnings of $63,998 vs $49,022 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of the Canyons | Point Loma Nazarene University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,702 | $38,729 |
| Total net cost | $7,404 | $154,916 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,022 | $63,998 |
| Median debt | $9,612 | $22,990 |
| Payback | 11.2 yrs | 9.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $5,836 | $157,844 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of the Canyons or Point Loma Nazarene University?
College of the Canyons, at $3,702 a year after aid versus $38,729 — a gap of $35,027 a year, or $147,512 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of the Canyons or Point Loma Nazarene University graduates earn more?
Point Loma Nazarene University graduates report a median $63,998 ten years after entry, $14,976 more than the $49,022 at College of the Canyons. 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, College of the Canyons or Point Loma Nazarene University?
College of the Canyons: its completers carry a median $9,612 in federal loans versus $22,990 at Point Loma Nazarene University, a difference of $13,378. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Point Loma Nazarene University, against 45% at College of the Canyons. 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.