Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Moorpark College vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Moorpark CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Pasadena CA

The verdict

Moorpark College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of -$4,592 in -6.7 years versus 0.8 years at California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $49,044 vs $128,566 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMoorpark CollegeCalifornia Institute of Technology
Net price / yr-$2,296$16,075
Total net cost-$4,592$64,300
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,044$128,566
Median debt$9,500
Payback-6.7 yrs0.8 yrs
20-year net return$18,272$1,539,820

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

Which is cheaper, Moorpark College or California Institute of Technology?

Moorpark College, at -$2,296 a year after aid versus $16,075 — a gap of $18,371 a year, or $68,892 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Moorpark College or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

California Institute of Technology graduates report a median $128,566 ten years after entry, $79,522 more than the $49,044 at Moorpark 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?

94% of students finish at California Institute of Technology, against 44% at Moorpark 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.

Moorpark College vs California Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Moorpark College or California Institute of Technology a better value?
Moorpark College. It clears its -$4,592 net cost in about -6.7 years versus 0.8 years at California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $49,044 vs $128,566 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Moorpark College or California Institute of Technology?
Moorpark College: -$2,296/yr net price after aid versus $16,075/yr at California Institute of Technology — a difference of $18,371 a year, or about $68,892 over four years.
Do Moorpark College or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
California Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $128,566 ten years after entry, versus $49,044 at Moorpark College — a $79,522 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.