La Sierra University vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: which has better ROI?
La Sierra University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $182,264 in 13.5 years versus 16.2 years at John Paul the Great Catholic University, on median earnings of $61,824 vs $56,930 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | La Sierra University | John Paul the Great Catholic University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $45,566 | $34,666 |
| Total net cost | $182,264 | $138,664 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,824 | $56,930 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $26,968 |
| Payback | 13.5 yrs | 16.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $87,016 | $32,736 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, La Sierra University or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
John Paul the Great Catholic University, at $34,666 a year after aid versus $45,566 — a gap of $10,900 a year, or $43,600 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do La Sierra University or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?
La Sierra University graduates report a median $61,824 ten years after entry, $4,894 more than the $56,930 at John Paul the Great Catholic University. 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, La Sierra University or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
John Paul the Great Catholic University: its completers carry a median $26,968 in federal loans versus $27,000 at La Sierra University, a difference of $32. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at John Paul the Great Catholic University, against 60% at La Sierra 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.