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Unitek College — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private for-profit · Hayward, CA · 284 students

The verdict

Unitek College charges a net price of $19,130/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $76,520. Graduates earn a median $87,877 ten years after entry, $39,517/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.9 years — a 20-year net return of $713,820, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Unitek College's 1.9-year payback ranks #73 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 94% of them, and #22 of 334 in California.

Better ROI than 94% of US colleges#73 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$19,130
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$87,877
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
1.9 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Unitek College: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$19,130/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$76,520our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$87,877Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$39,517/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$10,700Scorecard, 2026
Payback1.9 yrsour math
20-year net return$713,820our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Unitek College: frequently asked questions

Is Unitek College worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Unitek College charges $19,130/yr after aid ($76,520 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $87,877 ten years out — $39,517/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 1.9 years and returns $713,820 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Unitek College degree take to pay off?
About 1.9 years. We divide the $76,520 four-year net cost by the $39,517/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Unitek College cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $19,130/yr — about $76,520 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Unitek College compare to other California colleges?
It ranks #22 of 334 California colleges we track by payback. Its $87,877 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $19,130 net price is above the national median of $16,906.