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William Jessup University vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Rocklin CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Escondido CA

The verdict

William Jessup University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $112,248 in 14.2 years versus 16.2 years at John Paul the Great Catholic University, on median earnings of $56,257 vs $56,930 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWilliam Jessup UniversityJohn Paul the Great Catholic University
Net price / yr$28,062$34,666
Total net cost$112,248$138,664
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,257$56,930
Median debt$23,700$26,968
Payback14.2 yrs16.2 yrs
20-year net return$45,692$32,736

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

Which is cheaper, William Jessup University or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

William Jessup University, at $28,062 a year after aid versus $34,666 — a gap of $6,604 a year, or $26,416 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do William Jessup University or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?

John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates report a median $56,930 ten years after entry, $673 more than the $56,257 at William Jessup 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, William Jessup University or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

William Jessup University: its completers carry a median $23,700 in federal loans versus $26,968 at John Paul the Great Catholic University, a difference of $3,268. 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University, against 56% at William Jessup University. 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.

William Jessup University vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: frequently asked questions

Is William Jessup University or John Paul the Great Catholic University a better value?
William Jessup University. It clears its $112,248 net cost in about 14.2 years versus 16.2 years at John Paul the Great Catholic University, on median earnings of $56,257 vs $56,930 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, William Jessup University or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
William Jessup University: $28,062/yr net price after aid versus $34,666/yr at John Paul the Great Catholic University — a difference of $6,604 a year, or about $26,416 over four years.
Do William Jessup University or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?
John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn a median $56,930 ten years after entry, versus $56,257 at William Jessup University — a $673 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.