Irvine Valley College vs Occidental College: which has better ROI?
Irvine Valley College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $4,180 in 5.3 years versus 5.5 years at Occidental College, on median earnings of $49,156 vs $75,951 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Irvine Valley College | Occidental College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $2,090 | $38,263 |
| Total net cost | $4,180 | $153,052 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,156 | $75,951 |
| Median debt | $6,500 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 5.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $11,740 | $398,768 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Irvine Valley College or Occidental College?
Irvine Valley College, at $2,090 a year after aid versus $38,263 — a gap of $36,173 a year, or $148,872 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 Occidental College graduates earn more?
Occidental College graduates report a median $75,951 ten years after entry, $26,795 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 Occidental College?
Irvine Valley College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Occidental College, a difference of $16,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Occidental College, against 57% at Irvine 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.