Universal Technical Institute of California Inc vs Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology: which has better ROI?
Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,280 in 10.1 years versus 11.7 years at Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, on median earnings of $61,575 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Universal Technical Institute of California Inc | Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,360 | $33,320 |
| Total net cost | $52,720 | $133,280 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,873 | $61,575 |
| Median debt | $13,124 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 11.7 yrs | 10.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $37,540 | $131,020 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute of California Inc or Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology?
Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, at $26,360 a year after aid versus $33,320 — a gap of $6,960 a year, or $80,560 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 California Inc or Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology graduates earn more?
Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology graduates report a median $61,575 ten years after entry, $8,702 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute of California 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 California Inc or Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology?
Universal Technical Institute of California Inc: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology, a difference of $6,876. 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 Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, against 64% at Spartan College of Aeronautics & 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.