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Irvine Valley College vs Fresno Pacific University: which has better ROI?

Public, Irvine CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Fresno CA

The verdict

Fresno Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,520 in 5.2 years versus 5.3 years at Irvine Valley College, on median earnings of $58,896 vs $49,156 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureIrvine Valley CollegeFresno Pacific University
Net price / yr$2,090$13,630
Total net cost$4,180$54,520
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,156$58,896
Median debt$6,500$23,146
Payback5.3 yrs5.2 yrs
20-year net return$11,740$156,200

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

Which is cheaper, Irvine Valley College or Fresno Pacific University?

Irvine Valley College, at $2,090 a year after aid versus $13,630 — a gap of $11,540 a year, or $50,340 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Irvine Valley College or Fresno Pacific University graduates earn more?

Fresno Pacific University graduates report a median $58,896 ten years after entry, $9,740 more than the $49,156 at Irvine 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, Irvine Valley College or Fresno Pacific University?

Irvine Valley College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $23,146 at Fresno Pacific University, a difference of $16,646. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Irvine Valley College, against 50% at Fresno Pacific University. 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.

Irvine Valley College vs Fresno Pacific University: frequently asked questions

Is Irvine Valley College or Fresno Pacific University a better value?
Fresno Pacific University. It clears its $54,520 net cost in about 5.2 years versus 5.3 years at Irvine Valley College, on median earnings of $58,896 vs $49,156 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Irvine Valley College or Fresno Pacific University?
Irvine Valley College: $2,090/yr net price after aid versus $13,630/yr at Fresno Pacific University — a difference of $11,540 a year, or about $50,340 over four years.
Do Irvine Valley College or Fresno Pacific University graduates earn more?
Fresno Pacific University graduates earn a median $58,896 ten years after entry, versus $49,156 at Irvine Valley College — a $9,740 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.