Woodbury University vs Southern California Institute of Architecture: which has better ROI?
Southern California Institute of Architecture has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $175,692 in 7.5 years versus 7.8 years at Woodbury University, on median earnings of $71,909 vs $65,668 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Woodbury University | Southern California Institute of Architecture |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,692 | $43,923 |
| Total net cost | $134,768 | $175,692 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,668 | $71,909 |
| Median debt | $26,960 | — |
| Payback | 7.8 yrs | 7.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $211,392 | $295,288 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Woodbury University or Southern California Institute of Architecture?
Woodbury University, at $33,692 a year after aid versus $43,923 — a gap of $10,231 a year, or $40,924 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Woodbury University or Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates earn more?
Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates report a median $71,909 ten years after entry, $6,241 more than the $65,668 at Woodbury 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 graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Southern California Institute of Architecture, against 60% at Woodbury 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.