Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

West Coast University-Ontario vs Mount Saint Mary's University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Ontario CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Los Angeles CA

The verdict

Mount Saint Mary's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,652 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at West Coast University-Ontario, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $102,672 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureWest Coast University-OntarioMount Saint Mary's University
Net price / yr$49,590$21,413
Total net cost$198,360$85,652
Median earnings, 10 yrs$102,672$72,379
Median debt$32,946$25,949
Payback3.7 yrs3.6 yrs
20-year net return$887,880$394,728

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

Which is cheaper, West Coast University-Ontario or Mount Saint Mary's University?

Mount Saint Mary's University, at $21,413 a year after aid versus $49,590 — a gap of $28,177 a year, or $112,708 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do West Coast University-Ontario or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?

West Coast University-Ontario graduates report a median $102,672 ten years after entry, $30,293 more than the $72,379 at Mount Saint Mary's University. 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, West Coast University-Ontario or Mount Saint Mary's University?

Mount Saint Mary's University: its completers carry a median $25,949 in federal loans versus $32,946 at West Coast University-Ontario, a difference of $6,997. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at Mount Saint Mary's University, against 39% at West Coast University-Ontario. 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.

West Coast University-Ontario vs Mount Saint Mary's University: frequently asked questions

Is West Coast University-Ontario or Mount Saint Mary's University a better value?
Mount Saint Mary's University. It clears its $85,652 net cost in about 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at West Coast University-Ontario, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $102,672 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, West Coast University-Ontario or Mount Saint Mary's University?
Mount Saint Mary's University: $21,413/yr net price after aid versus $49,590/yr at West Coast University-Ontario — a difference of $28,177 a year, or about $112,708 over four years.
Do West Coast University-Ontario or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?
West Coast University-Ontario graduates earn a median $102,672 ten years after entry, versus $72,379 at Mount Saint Mary's University — a $30,293 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.