University of California-Irvine vs Unitek 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 1.9 years at Unitek College, on median earnings of $80,735 vs $87,877 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Irvine | Unitek College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,251 | $19,130 |
| Total net cost | $57,004 | $76,520 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,735 | $87,877 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $10,700 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,496 | $713,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Irvine or Unitek College?
University of California-Irvine, at $14,251 a year after aid versus $19,130 — a gap of $4,879 a year, or $19,516 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 Unitek College graduates earn more?
Unitek College graduates report a median $87,877 ten years after entry, $7,142 more than the $80,735 at University of California-Irvine. 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 Unitek College?
Unitek College: its completers carry a median $10,700 in federal loans versus $15,000 at University of California-Irvine, a difference of $4,300. 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 63% at Unitek 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.