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Universal Technical Institute-Southern California vs William Jessup University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Long Beach CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Rocklin CA

The verdict

Universal Technical Institute-Southern California has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $55,012 in 12.2 years versus 14.2 years at William Jessup University, on median earnings of $52,873 vs $56,257 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaWilliam Jessup University
Net price / yr$27,506$28,062
Total net cost$55,012$112,248
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,873$56,257
Median debt$13,124$23,700
Payback12.2 yrs14.2 yrs
20-year net return$35,248$45,692

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

Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or William Jessup University?

Universal Technical Institute-Southern California, at $27,506 a year after aid versus $28,062 — a gap of $556 a year, or $57,236 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 William Jessup University graduates earn more?

William Jessup University graduates report a median $56,257 ten years after entry, $3,384 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 William Jessup University?

Universal Technical Institute-Southern California: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $23,700 at William Jessup University, a difference of $10,576. 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 56% at William Jessup 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.

Universal Technical Institute-Southern California vs William Jessup University: frequently asked questions

Is Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or William Jessup University a better value?
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California. It clears its $55,012 net cost in about 12.2 years versus 14.2 years at William Jessup University, on median earnings of $52,873 vs $56,257 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or William Jessup University?
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California: $27,506/yr net price after aid versus $28,062/yr at William Jessup University — a difference of $556 a year, or about $57,236 over four years.
Do Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or William Jessup University graduates earn more?
William Jessup University graduates earn a median $56,257 ten years after entry, versus $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California — a $3,384 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.