Santa Clara University vs Unitek College: which has better ROI?
Unitek College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,716 in 3.2 years versus 3.3 years at Santa Clara University, on median earnings of $79,550 vs $109,183 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Santa Clara University | Unitek College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $50,062 | $25,179 |
| Total net cost | $200,248 | $100,716 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $109,183 | $79,550 |
| Median debt | $19,162 | $10,700 |
| Payback | 3.3 yrs | 3.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,016,212 | $523,084 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Santa Clara University or Unitek College?
Unitek College, at $25,179 a year after aid versus $50,062 — a gap of $24,883 a year, or $99,532 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Santa Clara University or Unitek College graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates report a median $109,183 ten years after entry, $29,633 more than the $79,550 at Unitek 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, Santa Clara University or Unitek College?
Unitek College: its completers carry a median $10,700 in federal loans versus $19,162 at Santa Clara University, a difference of $8,462. 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 73% at Unitek 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.