University of California-Santa Cruz vs Pacific Union College: which has better ROI?
University of California-Santa Cruz has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,560 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at Pacific Union College, on median earnings of $68,396 vs $70,484 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Santa Cruz | Pacific Union College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,890 | $41,008 |
| Total net cost | $71,560 | $82,016 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,396 | $70,484 |
| Median debt | $16,666 | $27,500 |
| Payback | 3.6 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $329,160 | $360,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Santa Cruz or Pacific Union College?
University of California-Santa Cruz, at $17,890 a year after aid versus $41,008 — a gap of $23,118 a year, or $10,456 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-Santa Cruz or Pacific Union College graduates earn more?
Pacific Union College graduates report a median $70,484 ten years after entry, $2,088 more than the $68,396 at University of California-Santa Cruz. 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-Santa Cruz or Pacific Union College?
University of California-Santa Cruz: its completers carry a median $16,666 in federal loans versus $27,500 at Pacific Union College, a difference of $10,834. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at University of California-Santa Cruz, against 58% at Pacific Union 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.