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Smith Chason College vs Westmont College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Santa Barbara CA

The verdict

Westmont College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,212 in 7.1 years versus 7.1 years at Smith Chason College, on median earnings of $64,778 vs $58,004 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSmith Chason CollegeWestmont College
Net price / yr$34,367$29,053
Total net cost$68,734$116,212
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,004$64,778
Median debt$21,397$23,250
Payback7.1 yrs7.1 yrs
20-year net return$124,146$212,148

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

Which is cheaper, Smith Chason College or Westmont College?

Westmont College, at $29,053 a year after aid versus $34,367 — a gap of $5,314 a year, or $47,478 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 Westmont College graduates earn more?

Westmont College graduates report a median $64,778 ten years after entry, $6,774 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 leaves students with less debt, Smith Chason College or Westmont College?

Smith Chason College: its completers carry a median $21,397 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Westmont College, a difference of $1,853. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at Smith Chason College, against 70% at Westmont 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.

Smith Chason College vs Westmont College: frequently asked questions

Is Smith Chason College or Westmont College a better value?
Westmont College. It clears its $116,212 net cost in about 7.1 years versus 7.1 years at Smith Chason College, on median earnings of $64,778 vs $58,004 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Smith Chason College or Westmont College?
Westmont College: $29,053/yr net price after aid versus $34,367/yr at Smith Chason College — a difference of $5,314 a year, or about $47,478 over four years.
Do Smith Chason College or Westmont College graduates earn more?
Westmont College graduates earn a median $64,778 ten years after entry, versus $58,004 at Smith Chason College — a $6,774 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.