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Ohlone College vs Mission College: which has better ROI?

Public, Fremont CA · vs · Public, Santa Clara CA

The verdict

Ohlone College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $22,260 in 3.8 years versus 3.9 years at Mission College, on median earnings of $54,278 vs $50,936 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOhlone CollegeMission College
Net price / yr$11,130$5,080
Total net cost$22,260$10,160
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,278$50,936
Median debt
Payback3.8 yrs3.9 yrs
20-year net return$96,100$41,360

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

Which is cheaper, Ohlone College or Mission College?

Mission College, at $5,080 a year after aid versus $11,130 — a gap of $6,050 a year, or $12,100 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ohlone College or Mission College graduates earn more?

Ohlone College graduates report a median $54,278 ten years after entry, $3,342 more than the $50,936 at Mission 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?

52% of students finish at Ohlone College, against 39% at Mission 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.

Ohlone College vs Mission College: frequently asked questions

Is Ohlone College or Mission College a better value?
Ohlone College. It clears its $22,260 net cost in about 3.8 years versus 3.9 years at Mission College, on median earnings of $54,278 vs $50,936 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ohlone College or Mission College?
Mission College: $5,080/yr net price after aid versus $11,130/yr at Ohlone College — a difference of $6,050 a year, or about $12,100 over four years.
Do Ohlone College or Mission College graduates earn more?
Ohlone College graduates earn a median $54,278 ten years after entry, versus $50,936 at Mission College — a $3,342 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.