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Moreno Valley College vs Santa Clara University: which has better ROI?

Public, Moreno Valley CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Santa Clara CA

The verdict

Santa Clara University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $200,248 in 3.3 years versus 3.4 years at Moreno Valley College, on median earnings of $109,183 vs $52,133 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMoreno Valley CollegeSanta Clara University
Net price / yr$6,483$50,062
Total net cost$12,966$200,248
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,133$109,183
Median debt$19,162
Payback3.4 yrs3.3 yrs
20-year net return$62,494$1,016,212

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

Which is cheaper, Moreno Valley College or Santa Clara University?

Moreno Valley College, at $6,483 a year after aid versus $50,062 — a gap of $43,579 a year, or $187,282 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Moreno Valley College or Santa Clara University graduates earn more?

Santa Clara University graduates report a median $109,183 ten years after entry, $57,050 more than the $52,133 at Moreno 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 graduates more of its students?

88% of students finish at Santa Clara University, against 34% at Moreno 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.

Moreno Valley College vs Santa Clara University: frequently asked questions

Is Moreno Valley College or Santa Clara University a better value?
Santa Clara University. It clears its $200,248 net cost in about 3.3 years versus 3.4 years at Moreno Valley College, on median earnings of $109,183 vs $52,133 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Moreno Valley College or Santa Clara University?
Moreno Valley College: $6,483/yr net price after aid versus $50,062/yr at Santa Clara University — a difference of $43,579 a year, or about $187,282 over four years.
Do Moreno Valley College or Santa Clara University graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn a median $109,183 ten years after entry, versus $52,133 at Moreno Valley College — a $57,050 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.