Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Silicon Valley vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, San Jose CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Escondido CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

John Paul the Great Catholic University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $138,664 in 16.2 years versus 41.9 years at University of Silicon Valley, on median earnings of $56,930 vs $51,017 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Silicon ValleyJohn Paul the Great Catholic University
Net price / yr$27,815$34,666
Total net cost$111,260$138,664
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,017$56,930
Median debt$31,000$26,968
Payback41.9 yrs16.2 yrs
20-year net return-$58,120$32,736

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Silicon Valley or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

University of Silicon Valley, at $27,815 a year after aid versus $34,666 — a gap of $6,851 a year, or $27,404 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 Silicon Valley or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?

John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates report a median $56,930 ten years after entry, $5,913 more than the $51,017 at University of Silicon Valley. 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 Silicon Valley or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

John Paul the Great Catholic University: its completers carry a median $26,968 in federal loans versus $31,000 at University of Silicon Valley, a difference of $4,032. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at John Paul the Great Catholic University, against 29% at University of Silicon Valley. 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.

University of Silicon Valley vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Silicon Valley or John Paul the Great Catholic University a better value?
John Paul the Great Catholic University. It clears its $138,664 net cost in about 16.2 years versus 41.9 years at University of Silicon Valley, on median earnings of $56,930 vs $51,017 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Silicon Valley or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
University of Silicon Valley: $27,815/yr net price after aid versus $34,666/yr at John Paul the Great Catholic University — a difference of $6,851 a year, or about $27,404 over four years.
Do University of Silicon Valley or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?
John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn a median $56,930 ten years after entry, versus $51,017 at University of Silicon Valley — a $5,913 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.