University of Arizona vs Ottawa University-Surprise: which has better ROI?
University of Arizona has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,696 in 5.7 years versus 18.6 years at Ottawa University-Surprise, on median earnings of $59,979 vs $55,552 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arizona | Ottawa University-Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,674 | $33,393 |
| Total net cost | $66,696 | $133,572 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,979 | $55,552 |
| Median debt | $19,620 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 5.7 yrs | 18.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $165,684 | $10,268 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Arizona or Ottawa University-Surprise?
University of Arizona, at $16,674 a year after aid versus $33,393 — a gap of $16,719 a year, or $66,876 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 Arizona or Ottawa University-Surprise graduates earn more?
University of Arizona graduates report a median $59,979 ten years after entry, $4,427 more than the $55,552 at Ottawa University-Surprise. 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 Arizona or Ottawa University-Surprise?
University of Arizona: its completers carry a median $19,620 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Ottawa University-Surprise, a difference of $1,880. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at University of Arizona, 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.