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Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc vs Ottawa University-Surprise: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Avondale AZ · vs · Private nonprofit, Surprise AZ

The verdict

Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $60,902 in 13.5 years versus 18.6 years at Ottawa University-Surprise, on median earnings of $52,873 vs $55,552 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversal Technical Institute of Arizona IncOttawa University-Surprise
Net price / yr$30,451$33,393
Total net cost$60,902$133,572
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,873$55,552
Median debt$13,124$21,500
Payback13.5 yrs18.6 yrs
20-year net return$29,358$10,268

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

Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise?

Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc, at $30,451 a year after aid versus $33,393 — a gap of $2,942 a year, or $72,670 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn more?

Ottawa University-Surprise graduates report a median $55,552 ten years after entry, $2,679 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc. 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, Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise?

Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Ottawa University-Surprise, a difference of $8,376. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc, against 18% at Ottawa University-Surprise. 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.

Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc vs Ottawa University-Surprise: frequently asked questions

Is Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise a better value?
Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc. It clears its $60,902 net cost in about 13.5 years versus 18.6 years at Ottawa University-Surprise, on median earnings of $52,873 vs $55,552 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise?
Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc: $30,451/yr net price after aid versus $33,393/yr at Ottawa University-Surprise — a difference of $2,942 a year, or about $72,670 over four years.
Do Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc or Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn more?
Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn a median $55,552 ten years after entry, versus $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc — a $2,679 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.