Occidental College vs Fresno Pacific University: which has better ROI?
Fresno Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,520 in 5.2 years versus 5.5 years at Occidental College, on median earnings of $58,896 vs $75,951 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Occidental College | Fresno Pacific University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,263 | $13,630 |
| Total net cost | $153,052 | $54,520 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,951 | $58,896 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $23,146 |
| Payback | 5.5 yrs | 5.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $398,768 | $156,200 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Occidental College or Fresno Pacific University?
Fresno Pacific University, at $13,630 a year after aid versus $38,263 — a gap of $24,633 a year, or $98,532 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Occidental College or Fresno Pacific University graduates earn more?
Occidental College graduates report a median $75,951 ten years after entry, $17,055 more than the $58,896 at Fresno Pacific 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, Occidental College or Fresno Pacific University?
Occidental College: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $23,146 at Fresno Pacific University, a difference of $146. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Occidental College, against 50% at Fresno Pacific 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.