West Valley College vs Claremont McKenna College: which has better ROI?
Claremont McKenna College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,396 in 2 years versus 2.1 years at West Valley College, on median earnings of $104,736 vs $51,688 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | West Valley College | Claremont McKenna College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,423 | $28,849 |
| Total net cost | $6,846 | $115,396 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,688 | $104,736 |
| Median debt | — | $13,500 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $59,714 | $1,012,124 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, West Valley College or Claremont McKenna College?
West Valley College, at $3,423 a year after aid versus $28,849 — a gap of $25,426 a year, or $108,550 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 Valley College or Claremont McKenna College graduates earn more?
Claremont McKenna College graduates report a median $104,736 ten years after entry, $53,048 more than the $51,688 at West Valley 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 graduates more of its students?
91% of students finish at Claremont McKenna College, against 51% at West Valley 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.