Diablo Valley College vs Fresno Pacific University: which has better ROI?
Fresno Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,520 in 5.2 years versus 5.5 years at Diablo Valley College, on median earnings of $58,896 vs $51,378 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Diablo Valley College | Fresno Pacific University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,312 | $13,630 |
| Total net cost | $16,624 | $54,520 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,378 | $58,896 |
| Median debt | $10,021 | $23,146 |
| Payback | 5.5 yrs | 5.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $43,736 | $156,200 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Diablo Valley College or Fresno Pacific University?
Diablo Valley College, at $8,312 a year after aid versus $13,630 — a gap of $5,318 a year, or $37,896 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Diablo Valley College or Fresno Pacific University graduates earn more?
Fresno Pacific University graduates report a median $58,896 ten years after entry, $7,518 more than the $51,378 at Diablo Valley 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, Diablo Valley College or Fresno Pacific University?
Diablo Valley College: its completers carry a median $10,021 in federal loans versus $23,146 at Fresno Pacific University, a difference of $13,125. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Fresno Pacific University, against 49% at Diablo Valley 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.