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Southern California Institute of Technology vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Anaheim CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Escondido CA

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

The verdict

John Paul the Great Catholic University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $138,664 in 16.2 years versus 25.5 years at Southern California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $56,930 vs $53,598 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthern California Institute of TechnologyJohn Paul the Great Catholic University
Net price / yr$33,392$34,666
Total net cost$133,568$138,664
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,598$56,930
Median debt$10,798$26,968
Payback25.5 yrs16.2 yrs
20-year net return-$28,808$32,736

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

Which is cheaper, Southern California Institute of Technology or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

Southern California Institute of Technology, at $33,392 a year after aid versus $34,666 — a gap of $1,274 a year, or $5,096 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southern California Institute of Technology or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?

John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates report a median $56,930 ten years after entry, $3,332 more than the $53,598 at Southern California Institute of Technology. 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, Southern California Institute of Technology or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

Southern California Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $10,798 in federal loans versus $26,968 at John Paul the Great Catholic University, a difference of $16,170. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at Southern California Institute of Technology, against 64% at John Paul the Great Catholic University. 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.

Southern California Institute of Technology vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: frequently asked questions

Is Southern California Institute of Technology or John Paul the Great Catholic University a better value?
John Paul the Great Catholic University. It clears its $138,664 net cost in about 16.2 years versus 25.5 years at Southern California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $56,930 vs $53,598 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Southern California Institute of Technology or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
Southern California Institute of Technology: $33,392/yr net price after aid versus $34,666/yr at John Paul the Great Catholic University — a difference of $1,274 a year, or about $5,096 over four years.
Do Southern California Institute of Technology or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?
John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn a median $56,930 ten years after entry, versus $53,598 at Southern California Institute of Technology — a $3,332 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.