Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Soka University of America vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Aliso Viejo CA · vs · Private for-profit, Riverside CA

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

The verdict

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $130,404 in 9.9 years versus 11 years at Soka University of America, on median earnings of $61,575 vs $55,017 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureSoka University of AmericaSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Net price / yr$18,260$32,601
Total net cost$73,040$130,404
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,017$61,575
Median debt$15,650$20,000
Payback11 yrs9.9 yrs
20-year net return$60,100$133,896

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

Which is cheaper, Soka University of America or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Soka University of America, at $18,260 a year after aid versus $32,601 — a gap of $14,341 a year, or $57,364 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Soka University of America or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates report a median $61,575 ten years after entry, $6,558 more than the $55,017 at Soka University of America. 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, Soka University of America or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Soka University of America: its completers carry a median $15,650 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, a difference of $4,350. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

92% of students finish at Soka University of America, against 68% at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. 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.

Soka University of America vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Soka University of America or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology a better value?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. It clears its $130,404 net cost in about 9.9 years versus 11 years at Soka University of America, on median earnings of $61,575 vs $55,017 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Soka University of America or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
Soka University of America: $18,260/yr net price after aid versus $32,601/yr at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a difference of $14,341 a year, or about $57,364 over four years.
Do Soka University of America or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn a median $61,575 ten years after entry, versus $55,017 at Soka University of America — a $6,558 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.