Head-to-head comparison
Irvine Valley College vs Stanbridge University: which has better ROI?
Option A Irvine, CA
Irvine Valley College
- Net price / year
- $2,090
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,156
- Payback
- 5.3 yrs
Option B Irvine, CA
Stanbridge University
- Net price / year
- $45,372
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,144
- Payback
- 13.2 yrs
Irvine Valley College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $4,180 in 5.3 years versus 13.2 years at Stanbridge University, on median earnings of $49,156 vs $62,144 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Irvine Valley College | Stanbridge University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $2,090 | $45,372 |
| Total net cost | $4,180 | $181,488 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,156 | $62,144 |
| Median debt | $6,500 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 13.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $11,740 | $94,192 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Irvine Valley College or Stanbridge University?
Irvine Valley College, at $2,090 a year after aid versus $45,372 — a gap of $43,282 a year, or $177,308 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 Irvine Valley College or Stanbridge University graduates earn more?
Stanbridge University graduates report a median $62,144 ten years after entry, $12,988 more than the $49,156 at Irvine Valley College. 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, Irvine Valley College or Stanbridge University?
Irvine Valley College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Stanbridge University, a difference of $13,500. 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?
62% of students finish at Stanbridge University, against 57% at Irvine Valley 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.