Napa Valley College vs Southern California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Napa Valley College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $29,288 in 25.3 years versus 25.5 years at Southern California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $49,517 vs $53,598 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Napa Valley College | Southern California Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,644 | $33,392 |
| Total net cost | $29,288 | $133,568 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,517 | $53,598 |
| Median debt | $10,147 | $10,798 |
| Payback | 25.3 yrs | 25.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$6,148 | -$28,808 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Napa Valley College or Southern California Institute of Technology?
Napa Valley College, at $14,644 a year after aid versus $33,392 — a gap of $18,748 a year, or $104,280 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Napa Valley College or Southern California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Southern California Institute of Technology graduates report a median $53,598 ten years after entry, $4,081 more than the $49,517 at Napa 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, Napa Valley College or Southern California Institute of Technology?
Napa Valley College: its completers carry a median $10,147 in federal loans versus $10,798 at Southern California Institute of Technology, a difference of $651. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Southern California Institute of Technology, against 43% at Napa 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.