University of California-Irvine vs Irvine Valley College: which has better ROI?
University of California-Irvine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,004 in 1.8 years versus 5.3 years at Irvine Valley College, on median earnings of $80,735 vs $49,156 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Irvine | Irvine Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,251 | $2,090 |
| Total net cost | $57,004 | $4,180 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,735 | $49,156 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $6,500 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,496 | $11,740 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Irvine or Irvine Valley College?
Irvine Valley College, at $2,090 a year after aid versus $14,251 — a gap of $12,161 a year, or $52,824 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 California-Irvine or Irvine Valley College graduates earn more?
University of California-Irvine graduates report a median $80,735 ten years after entry, $31,579 more than the $49,156 at Irvine Valley College. 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 California-Irvine or Irvine Valley College?
Irvine Valley College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $15,000 at University of California-Irvine, a difference of $8,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at University of California-Irvine, against 57% at Irvine Valley College. 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.