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Head-to-head comparison

Saddleback College vs University of the Pacific: which has better ROI?

Public, Mission Viejo CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Stockton CA

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

Option A Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College

Net price / year
$4,152
Earnings, 10 years
$50,874
Payback
3.3 yrs

Option B Stockton, CA

University of the Pacific

Net price / year
$25,447
Earnings, 10 years
$78,445
Payback
3.4 yrs
The verdict

Saddleback College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $8,304 in 3.3 years versus 3.4 years at University of the Pacific, on median earnings of $50,874 vs $78,445 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSaddleback CollegeUniversity of the Pacific
Net price / yr$4,152$25,447
Total net cost$8,304$101,788
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,874$78,445
Median debt$9,500$19,500
Payback3.3 yrs3.4 yrs
20-year net return$41,976$499,912

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Saddleback College or University of the Pacific?

Saddleback College, at $4,152 a year after aid versus $25,447 — a gap of $21,295 a year, or $93,484 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 University of the Pacific graduates earn more?

University of the Pacific graduates report a median $78,445 ten years after entry, $27,571 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 University of the Pacific?

Saddleback College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of the Pacific, a difference of $10,000. 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?

69% of students finish at University of the Pacific, against 48% at Saddleback 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.

Saddleback College vs University of the Pacific: frequently asked questions

Is Saddleback College or University of the Pacific a better value?
Saddleback College. It clears its $8,304 net cost in about 3.3 years versus 3.4 years at University of the Pacific, on median earnings of $50,874 vs $78,445 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Saddleback College or University of the Pacific?
Saddleback College: $4,152/yr net price after aid versus $25,447/yr at University of the Pacific — a difference of $21,295 a year, or about $93,484 over four years.
Do Saddleback College or University of the Pacific graduates earn more?
University of the Pacific graduates earn a median $78,445 ten years after entry, versus $50,874 at Saddleback College — a $27,571 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.