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Whittier College vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Whittier CA · vs · Private for-profit, Riverside CA

The verdict

Whittier College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $103,028 in 9.3 years versus 9.9 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, on median earnings of $59,492 vs $61,575 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWhittier CollegeSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Net price / yr$25,757$32,601
Total net cost$103,028$130,404
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,492$61,575
Median debt$24,937$20,000
Payback9.3 yrs9.9 yrs
20-year net return$119,612$133,896

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

Which is cheaper, Whittier College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Whittier College, at $25,757 a year after aid versus $32,601 — a gap of $6,844 a year, or $27,376 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Whittier College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates report a median $61,575 ten years after entry, $2,083 more than the $59,492 at Whittier 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, Whittier College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $24,937 at Whittier College, a difference of $4,937. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, against 60% at Whittier 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.

Whittier College vs Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Whittier College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology a better value?
Whittier College. It clears its $103,028 net cost in about 9.3 years versus 9.9 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, on median earnings of $59,492 vs $61,575 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Whittier College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology?
Whittier College: $25,757/yr net price after aid versus $32,601/yr at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology — a difference of $6,844 a year, or about $27,376 over four years.
Do Whittier College or Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn more?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology graduates earn a median $61,575 ten years after entry, versus $59,492 at Whittier College — a $2,083 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.