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Concordia University-Irvine vs Westmont College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Irvine CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Santa Barbara CA

The verdict

Concordia University-Irvine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $112,460 in 6.7 years versus 7.1 years at Westmont College, on median earnings of $65,083 vs $64,778 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureConcordia University-IrvineWestmont College
Net price / yr$28,115$29,053
Total net cost$112,460$116,212
Median earnings, 10 yrs$65,083$64,778
Median debt$24,247$23,250
Payback6.7 yrs7.1 yrs
20-year net return$222,000$212,148

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

Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Irvine or Westmont College?

Concordia University-Irvine, at $28,115 a year after aid versus $29,053 — a gap of $938 a year, or $3,752 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 Westmont College graduates earn more?

Concordia University-Irvine graduates report a median $65,083 ten years after entry, $305 more than the $64,778 at Westmont College. 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 Westmont College?

Westmont College: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $24,247 at Concordia University-Irvine, a difference of $997. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Westmont 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.

Concordia University-Irvine vs Westmont College: frequently asked questions

Is Concordia University-Irvine or Westmont College a better value?
Concordia University-Irvine. It clears its $112,460 net cost in about 6.7 years versus 7.1 years at Westmont College, on median earnings of $65,083 vs $64,778 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Concordia University-Irvine or Westmont College?
Concordia University-Irvine: $28,115/yr net price after aid versus $29,053/yr at Westmont College — a difference of $938 a year, or about $3,752 over four years.
Do Concordia University-Irvine or Westmont College graduates earn more?
Concordia University-Irvine graduates earn a median $65,083 ten years after entry, versus $64,778 at Westmont College — a $305 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.