Refrigeration School Inc vs Ottawa University-Surprise: which has better ROI?
Ottawa University-Surprise has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,572 in 18.6 years versus 23.5 years at Refrigeration School Inc, on median earnings of $55,552 vs $52,953 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Refrigeration School Inc | Ottawa University-Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,025 | $33,393 |
| Total net cost | $108,100 | $133,572 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,953 | $55,552 |
| Median debt | $8,233 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 23.5 yrs | 18.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$16,240 | $10,268 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Refrigeration School Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise?
Refrigeration School Inc, at $27,025 a year after aid versus $33,393 — a gap of $6,368 a year, or $25,472 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Refrigeration School Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn more?
Ottawa University-Surprise graduates report a median $55,552 ten years after entry, $2,599 more than the $52,953 at Refrigeration School 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, Refrigeration School Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise?
Refrigeration School Inc: its completers carry a median $8,233 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Ottawa University-Surprise, a difference of $13,267. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Refrigeration School Inc, against 18% at Ottawa University-Surprise. 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.