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San Joaquin Delta College vs University of the Pacific: which has better ROI?

Public, Stockton CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Stockton CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of the Pacific has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,788 in 3.4 years versus not at all at San Joaquin Delta College, on median earnings of $78,445 vs $43,212 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSan Joaquin Delta CollegeUniversity of the Pacific
Net price / yr$2,407$25,447
Total net cost$4,814$101,788
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,212$78,445
Median debt$7,500$19,500
Payback—3.4 yrs
20-year net return-$107,774$499,912

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

Which is cheaper, San Joaquin Delta College or University of the Pacific?

San Joaquin Delta College, at $2,407 a year after aid versus $25,447 — a gap of $23,040 a year, or $96,974 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do San Joaquin Delta College or University of the Pacific graduates earn more?

University of the Pacific graduates report a median $78,445 ten years after entry, $35,233 more than the $43,212 at San Joaquin Delta 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, San Joaquin Delta College or University of the Pacific?

San Joaquin Delta College: its completers carry a median $7,500 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of the Pacific, a difference of $12,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at University of the Pacific, against 35% at San Joaquin Delta 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.

San Joaquin Delta College vs University of the Pacific: frequently asked questions

Is San Joaquin Delta College or University of the Pacific a better value?
University of the Pacific. It clears its $101,788 net cost in about 3.4 years versus no clear payback at San Joaquin Delta College, on median earnings of $78,445 vs $43,212 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, San Joaquin Delta College or University of the Pacific?
San Joaquin Delta College: $2,407/yr net price after aid versus $25,447/yr at University of the Pacific — a difference of $23,040 a year, or about $96,974 over four years.
Do San Joaquin Delta College or University of the Pacific graduates earn more?
University of the Pacific graduates earn a median $78,445 ten years after entry, versus $43,212 at San Joaquin Delta College — a $35,233 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.