Saddleback College vs Santa Clara University: which has better ROI?
Santa Clara University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $200,248 in 3.3 years versus 3.3 years at Saddleback College, on median earnings of $109,183 vs $50,874 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saddleback College | Santa Clara University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,152 | $50,062 |
| Total net cost | $8,304 | $200,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,874 | $109,183 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $19,162 |
| Payback | 3.3 yrs | 3.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $41,976 | $1,016,212 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Saddleback College or Santa Clara University?
Saddleback College, at $4,152 a year after aid versus $50,062 — a gap of $45,910 a year, or $191,944 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Saddleback College or Santa Clara University graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates report a median $109,183 ten years after entry, $58,309 more than the $50,874 at Saddleback 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 leaves students with less debt, Saddleback College or Santa Clara University?
Saddleback College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,162 at Santa Clara University, a difference of $9,662. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at Santa Clara University, against 48% at Saddleback 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.