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College of the Canyons vs Soka University of America: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Clarita CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Aliso Viejo CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Soka University of America has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,040 in 11 years versus 11.2 years at College of the Canyons, on median earnings of $55,017 vs $49,022 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege of the CanyonsSoka University of America
Net price / yr$3,702$18,260
Total net cost$7,404$73,040
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,022$55,017
Median debt$9,612$15,650
Payback11.2 yrs11 yrs
20-year net return$5,836$60,100

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

Which is cheaper, College of the Canyons or Soka University of America?

College of the Canyons, at $3,702 a year after aid versus $18,260 — a gap of $14,558 a year, or $65,636 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 Soka University of America graduates earn more?

Soka University of America graduates report a median $55,017 ten years after entry, $5,995 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 Soka University of America?

College of the Canyons: its completers carry a median $9,612 in federal loans versus $15,650 at Soka University of America, a difference of $6,038. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

92% of students finish at Soka University of America, 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.

College of the Canyons vs Soka University of America: frequently asked questions

Is College of the Canyons or Soka University of America a better value?
Soka University of America. It clears its $73,040 net cost in about 11 years versus 11.2 years at College of the Canyons, on median earnings of $55,017 vs $49,022 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, College of the Canyons or Soka University of America?
College of the Canyons: $3,702/yr net price after aid versus $18,260/yr at Soka University of America — a difference of $14,558 a year, or about $65,636 over four years.
Do College of the Canyons or Soka University of America graduates earn more?
Soka University of America graduates earn a median $55,017 ten years after entry, versus $49,022 at College of the Canyons — a $5,995 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.