Universal Technical Institute-Southern California vs Soka University of America: which has better ROI?
Soka University of America has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,040 in 11 years versus 12.2 years at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California, on median earnings of $55,017 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Universal Technical Institute-Southern California | Soka University of America |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,506 | $18,260 |
| Total net cost | $55,012 | $73,040 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,873 | $55,017 |
| Median debt | $13,124 | $15,650 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | 11 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $35,248 | $60,100 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or Soka University of America?
Soka University of America, at $18,260 a year after aid versus $27,506 — a gap of $9,246 a year, or $18,028 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 Soka University of America graduates earn more?
Soka University of America graduates report a median $55,017 ten years after entry, $2,144 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 Soka University of America?
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $15,650 at Soka University of America, a difference of $2,526. 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 63% at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California. 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.