Head-to-head comparison
California College of the Arts vs University of Silicon Valley: which has better ROI?
Option A San Francisco, CA
California College of the Arts
- Net price / year
- $53,909
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,414
- Payback
- 204.6 yrs
Option B San Jose, CA
University of Silicon Valley
- Net price / year
- $27,815
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,017
- Payback
- 41.9 yrs
University of Silicon Valley has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $111,260 in 41.9 years versus 204.6 years at California College of the Arts, on median earnings of $51,017 vs $49,414 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California College of the Arts | University of Silicon Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $53,909 | $27,815 |
| Total net cost | $215,636 | $111,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,414 | $51,017 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $31,000 |
| Payback | 204.6 yrs | 41.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$194,556 | -$58,120 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California College of the Arts or University of Silicon Valley?
University of Silicon Valley, at $27,815 a year after aid versus $53,909 — a gap of $26,094 a year, or $104,376 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 California College of the Arts or University of Silicon Valley graduates earn more?
University of Silicon Valley graduates report a median $51,017 ten years after entry, $1,603 more than the $49,414 at California College of the Arts. 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, California College of the Arts or University of Silicon Valley?
California College of the Arts: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $31,000 at University of Silicon Valley, a difference of $4,000. 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?
61% of students finish at California College of the Arts, against 29% at University of Silicon Valley. 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.