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Point Loma Nazarene University vs Universal Technical Institute of California Inc: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, San Diego CA · vs · Private for-profit, Rancho Cucamonga CA

The verdict

Point Loma Nazarene University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $154,916 in 9.9 years versus 11.7 years at Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, on median earnings of $63,998 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePoint Loma Nazarene UniversityUniversal Technical Institute of California Inc
Net price / yr$38,729$26,360
Total net cost$154,916$52,720
Median earnings, 10 yrs$63,998$52,873
Median debt$22,990$13,124
Payback9.9 yrs11.7 yrs
20-year net return$157,844$37,540

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

Which is cheaper, Point Loma Nazarene University or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc?

Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, at $26,360 a year after aid versus $38,729 — a gap of $12,369 a year, or $102,196 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Point Loma Nazarene University or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc graduates earn more?

Point Loma Nazarene University graduates report a median $63,998 ten years after entry, $11,125 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute of California Inc. 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, Point Loma Nazarene University or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc?

Universal Technical Institute of California Inc: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $22,990 at Point Loma Nazarene University, a difference of $9,866. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

77% of students finish at Point Loma Nazarene University, against 72% at Universal Technical Institute of California Inc. 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.

Point Loma Nazarene University vs Universal Technical Institute of California Inc: frequently asked questions

Is Point Loma Nazarene University or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc a better value?
Point Loma Nazarene University. It clears its $154,916 net cost in about 9.9 years versus 11.7 years at Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, on median earnings of $63,998 vs $52,873 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Point Loma Nazarene University or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc?
Universal Technical Institute of California Inc: $26,360/yr net price after aid versus $38,729/yr at Point Loma Nazarene University — a difference of $12,369 a year, or about $102,196 over four years.
Do Point Loma Nazarene University or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc graduates earn more?
Point Loma Nazarene University graduates earn a median $63,998 ten years after entry, versus $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute of California Inc — a $11,125 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.