Concordia University-Irvine vs Pitzer College: which has better ROI?
Pitzer College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $136,764 in 6.5 years versus 6.7 years at Concordia University-Irvine, on median earnings of $69,512 vs $65,083 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Concordia University-Irvine | Pitzer College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,115 | $34,191 |
| Total net cost | $112,460 | $136,764 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,083 | $69,512 |
| Median debt | $24,247 | $16,750 |
| Payback | 6.7 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $222,000 | $286,276 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Irvine or Pitzer College?
Concordia University-Irvine, at $28,115 a year after aid versus $34,191 — a gap of $6,076 a year, or $24,304 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Concordia University-Irvine or Pitzer College graduates earn more?
Pitzer College graduates report a median $69,512 ten years after entry, $4,429 more than the $65,083 at Concordia University-Irvine. 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, Concordia University-Irvine or Pitzer College?
Pitzer College: its completers carry a median $16,750 in federal loans versus $24,247 at Concordia University-Irvine, a difference of $7,497. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at Pitzer College, against 58% at Concordia University-Irvine. 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.