Universal Technical Institute-Southern California vs La Sierra University: which has better ROI?
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $55,012 in 12.2 years versus 13.5 years at La Sierra University, on median earnings of $52,873 vs $61,824 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Universal Technical Institute-Southern California | La Sierra University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,506 | $45,566 |
| Total net cost | $55,012 | $182,264 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,873 | $61,824 |
| Median debt | $13,124 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | 13.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $35,248 | $87,016 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or La Sierra University?
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California, at $27,506 a year after aid versus $45,566 — a gap of $18,060 a year, or $127,252 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-Southern California or La Sierra University graduates earn more?
La Sierra University graduates report a median $61,824 ten years after entry, $8,951 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California. 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-Southern California or La Sierra University?
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $27,000 at La Sierra University, a difference of $13,876. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California, against 60% at La Sierra 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.