Smith Chason College vs Southern California Institute of Architecture: which has better ROI?
Smith Chason College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $68,734 in 7.1 years versus 7.5 years at Southern California Institute of Architecture, on median earnings of $58,004 vs $71,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Smith Chason College | Southern California Institute of Architecture |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,367 | $43,923 |
| Total net cost | $68,734 | $175,692 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,004 | $71,909 |
| Median debt | $21,397 | — |
| Payback | 7.1 yrs | 7.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $124,146 | $295,288 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Smith Chason College or Southern California Institute of Architecture?
Smith Chason College, at $34,367 a year after aid versus $43,923 — a gap of $9,556 a year, or $106,958 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Smith Chason College or Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates earn more?
Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates report a median $71,909 ten years after entry, $13,905 more than the $58,004 at Smith Chason 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 graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Smith Chason College, against 71% at Southern California Institute of Architecture. 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.