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Norco College vs Mount Saint Mary's University: which has better ROI?

Public, Norco CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Los Angeles CA

The verdict

Mount Saint Mary's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,652 in 3.6 years versus 3.6 years at Norco College, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $51,206 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorco CollegeMount Saint Mary's University
Net price / yr$5,169$21,413
Total net cost$10,338$85,652
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,206$72,379
Median debt$25,949
Payback3.6 yrs3.6 yrs
20-year net return$46,582$394,728

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

Which is cheaper, Norco College or Mount Saint Mary's University?

Norco College, at $5,169 a year after aid versus $21,413 — a gap of $16,244 a year, or $75,314 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Norco College or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?

Mount Saint Mary's University graduates report a median $72,379 ten years after entry, $21,173 more than the $51,206 at Norco 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?

53% of students finish at Mount Saint Mary's University, against 42% at Norco 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.

Norco College vs Mount Saint Mary's University: frequently asked questions

Is Norco College or Mount Saint Mary's University a better value?
Mount Saint Mary's University. It clears its $85,652 net cost in about 3.6 years versus 3.6 years at Norco College, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $51,206 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Norco College or Mount Saint Mary's University?
Norco College: $5,169/yr net price after aid versus $21,413/yr at Mount Saint Mary's University — a difference of $16,244 a year, or about $75,314 over four years.
Do Norco College or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?
Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn a median $72,379 ten years after entry, versus $51,206 at Norco College — a $21,173 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.