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Foothill College vs Norco College: which has better ROI?

Public, Los Altos Hills CA · vs · Public, Norco CA

The verdict

Foothill College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $30,612 in 3.5 years versus 3.6 years at Norco College, on median earnings of $57,072 vs $51,206 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFoothill CollegeNorco College
Net price / yr$7,653$5,169
Total net cost$30,612$10,338
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,072$51,206
Median debt$10,500
Payback3.5 yrs3.6 yrs
20-year net return$143,628$46,582

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

Which is cheaper, Foothill College or Norco College?

Norco College, at $5,169 a year after aid versus $7,653 — a gap of $2,484 a year, or $20,274 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Foothill College or Norco College graduates earn more?

Foothill College graduates report a median $57,072 ten years after entry, $5,866 more than the $51,206 at Norco 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 graduates more of its students?

56% of students finish at Foothill College, against 42% at Norco 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.

Foothill College vs Norco College: frequently asked questions

Is Foothill College or Norco College a better value?
Foothill College. It clears its $30,612 net cost in about 3.5 years versus 3.6 years at Norco College, on median earnings of $57,072 vs $51,206 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Foothill College or Norco College?
Norco College: $5,169/yr net price after aid versus $7,653/yr at Foothill College — a difference of $2,484 a year, or about $20,274 over four years.
Do Foothill College or Norco College graduates earn more?
Foothill College graduates earn a median $57,072 ten years after entry, versus $51,206 at Norco College — a $5,866 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.