Whittier College vs Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology: which has better ROI?
Whittier College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $103,028 in 9.3 years versus 10.1 years at Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology, on median earnings of $59,492 vs $61,575 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Whittier College | Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,757 | $33,320 |
| Total net cost | $103,028 | $133,280 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,492 | $61,575 |
| Median debt | $24,937 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 9.3 yrs | 10.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $119,612 | $131,020 |
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 & Technology?
Whittier College, at $25,757 a year after aid versus $33,320 — a gap of $7,563 a year, or $30,252 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 & Technology graduates earn more?
Spartan College of Aeronautics & 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 & Technology?
Spartan College of Aeronautics & 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?
64% of students finish at Spartan College of Aeronautics & 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.