Head-to-head comparison
Saddleback College vs Chamberlain University-California: which has better ROI?
Option A Mission Viejo, CA
Saddleback College
- Net price / year
- $4,152
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,874
- Payback
- 3.3 yrs
Option B Rancho Cordova, CA
Chamberlain University-California
- Net price / year
- $36,559
- Earnings, 10 years
- $92,405
- Payback
- 3.3 yrs
Chamberlain University-California has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $146,236 in 3.3 years versus 3.3 years at Saddleback College, on median earnings of $92,405 vs $50,874 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Saddleback College | Chamberlain University-California |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,152 | $36,559 |
| Total net cost | $8,304 | $146,236 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,874 | $92,405 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $20,919 |
| Payback | 3.3 yrs | 3.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $41,976 | $734,664 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Saddleback College or Chamberlain University-California?
Saddleback College, at $4,152 a year after aid versus $36,559 — a gap of $32,407 a year, or $137,932 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 Saddleback College or Chamberlain University-California graduates earn more?
Chamberlain University-California graduates report a median $92,405 ten years after entry, $41,531 more than the $50,874 at Saddleback 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, Saddleback College or Chamberlain University-California?
Saddleback College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $20,919 at Chamberlain University-California, a difference of $11,419. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.