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West Coast University-Ontario vs Pacific Union College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Ontario CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Angwin CA

The verdict

West Coast University-Ontario has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $198,360 in 3.7 years versus 3.7 years at Pacific Union College, on median earnings of $102,672 vs $70,484 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWest Coast University-OntarioPacific Union College
Net price / yr$49,590$41,008
Total net cost$198,360$82,016
Median earnings, 10 yrs$102,672$70,484
Median debt$32,946$27,500
Payback3.7 yrs3.7 yrs
20-year net return$887,880$360,464

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

Which is cheaper, West Coast University-Ontario or Pacific Union College?

Pacific Union College, at $41,008 a year after aid versus $49,590 — a gap of $8,582 a year, or $116,344 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 Pacific Union College graduates earn more?

West Coast University-Ontario graduates report a median $102,672 ten years after entry, $32,188 more than the $70,484 at Pacific Union College. 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 Pacific Union College?

Pacific Union College: its completers carry a median $27,500 in federal loans versus $32,946 at West Coast University-Ontario, a difference of $5,446. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

58% of students finish at Pacific Union College, 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 Pacific Union College: frequently asked questions

Is West Coast University-Ontario or Pacific Union College a better value?
West Coast University-Ontario. It clears its $198,360 net cost in about 3.7 years versus 3.7 years at Pacific Union College, on median earnings of $102,672 vs $70,484 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, West Coast University-Ontario or Pacific Union College?
Pacific Union College: $41,008/yr net price after aid versus $49,590/yr at West Coast University-Ontario — a difference of $8,582 a year, or about $116,344 over four years.
Do West Coast University-Ontario or Pacific Union College graduates earn more?
West Coast University-Ontario graduates earn a median $102,672 ten years after entry, versus $70,484 at Pacific Union College — a $32,188 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.