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Head-to-head comparison

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

Private nonprofit, La Mirada CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Escondido CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A La Mirada, CA

Biola University

Net price / year
$31,495
Earnings, 10 years
$56,778
Payback
15 yrs

Option B Escondido, CA

John Paul the Great Catholic University

Net price / year
$34,666
Earnings, 10 years
$56,930
Payback
16.2 yrs
The verdict

Biola University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $125,980 in 15 years versus 16.2 years at John Paul the Great Catholic University, on median earnings of $56,778 vs $56,930 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBiola UniversityJohn Paul the Great Catholic University
Net price / yr$31,495$34,666
Total net cost$125,980$138,664
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,778$56,930
Median debt$23,875$26,968
Payback15 yrs16.2 yrs
20-year net return$42,380$32,736

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

The short answer

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

Biola University, at $31,495 a year after aid versus $34,666 — a gap of $3,171 a year, or $12,684 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Biola 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, $152 more than the $56,778 at Biola 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.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Biola University or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

Biola University: its completers carry a median $23,875 in federal loans versus $26,968 at John Paul the Great Catholic University, a difference of $3,093. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at Biola University, against 64% at John Paul the Great Catholic 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.

Biola University vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: frequently asked questions

Is Biola University or John Paul the Great Catholic University a better value?
Biola University. It clears its $125,980 net cost in about 15 years versus 16.2 years at John Paul the Great Catholic University, on median earnings of $56,778 vs $56,930 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Biola University or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
Biola University: $31,495/yr net price after aid versus $34,666/yr at John Paul the Great Catholic University — a difference of $3,171 a year, or about $12,684 over four years.
Do Biola 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 $56,778 at Biola University — a $152 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.