Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Fullerton vs Unitek College: which has better ROI?
Option A Fullerton, CA
California State University-Fullerton
- Net price / year
- $6,555
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,951
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Option B Hayward, CA
Unitek College
- Net price / year
- $19,130
- Earnings, 10 years
- $87,877
- Payback
- 1.9 yrs
California State University-Fullerton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $26,220 in 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Unitek College, on median earnings of $62,951 vs $87,877 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Fullerton | Unitek College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,555 | $19,130 |
| Total net cost | $26,220 | $76,520 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,951 | $87,877 |
| Median debt | $13,750 | $10,700 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $265,600 | $713,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Fullerton or Unitek College?
California State University-Fullerton, at $6,555 a year after aid versus $19,130 — a gap of $12,575 a year, or $50,300 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 State University-Fullerton or Unitek College graduates earn more?
Unitek College graduates report a median $87,877 ten years after entry, $24,926 more than the $62,951 at California State University-Fullerton. 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 State University-Fullerton or Unitek College?
Unitek College: its completers carry a median $10,700 in federal loans versus $13,750 at California State University-Fullerton, a difference of $3,050. 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?
70% of students finish at California State University-Fullerton, against 63% at Unitek College. 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.