University of California-Riverside vs Gnomon: which has better ROI?
University of California-Riverside has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,216 in 3 years versus 3.1 years at Gnomon, on median earnings of $67,699 vs $114,785 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Riverside | Gnomon |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,304 | $51,949 |
| Total net cost | $57,216 | $207,796 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,699 | $114,785 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $28,332 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 3.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $329,564 | $1,120,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Riverside or Gnomon?
University of California-Riverside, at $14,304 a year after aid versus $51,949 — a gap of $37,645 a year, or $150,580 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-Riverside or Gnomon graduates earn more?
Gnomon graduates report a median $114,785 ten years after entry, $47,086 more than the $67,699 at University of California-Riverside. 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-Riverside or Gnomon?
University of California-Riverside: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $28,332 at Gnomon, a difference of $10,832. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
100% of students finish at Gnomon, against 76% at University of California-Riverside. 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.