Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Advancing Technology vs Ottawa University-Surprise: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Ottawa University-Surprise has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,572 in 18.6 years versus 24.2 years at University of Advancing Technology, on median earnings of $55,552 vs $50,719 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Advancing TechnologyOttawa University-Surprise
Net price / yr$28,522$33,393
Total net cost$57,044$133,572
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,719$55,552
Median debt$28,812$21,500
Payback24.2 yrs18.6 yrs
20-year net return-$9,864$10,268

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

Which is cheaper, University of Advancing Technology or Ottawa University-Surprise?

University of Advancing Technology, at $28,522 a year after aid versus $33,393 — a gap of $4,871 a year, or $76,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Advancing Technology or Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn more?

Ottawa University-Surprise graduates report a median $55,552 ten years after entry, $4,833 more than the $50,719 at University of Advancing Technology. 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, University of Advancing Technology or Ottawa University-Surprise?

Ottawa University-Surprise: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $28,812 at University of Advancing Technology, a difference of $7,312. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

35% of students finish at University of Advancing Technology, 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.

University of Advancing Technology vs Ottawa University-Surprise: frequently asked questions

Is University of Advancing Technology or Ottawa University-Surprise a better value?
Ottawa University-Surprise. It clears its $133,572 net cost in about 18.6 years versus 24.2 years at University of Advancing Technology, on median earnings of $55,552 vs $50,719 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Advancing Technology or Ottawa University-Surprise?
University of Advancing Technology: $28,522/yr net price after aid versus $33,393/yr at Ottawa University-Surprise — a difference of $4,871 a year, or about $76,528 over four years.
Do University of Advancing Technology or Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn more?
Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn a median $55,552 ten years after entry, versus $50,719 at University of Advancing Technology — a $4,833 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.