Head-to-head comparison
Unitek College vs Chamberlain University-California: which has better ROI?
Option A Fremont, CA
Unitek College
- Net price / year
- $25,179
- Earnings, 10 years
- $79,550
- Payback
- 3.2 yrs
Option B Rancho Cordova, CA
Chamberlain University-California
- Net price / year
- $36,559
- Earnings, 10 years
- $92,405
- Payback
- 3.3 yrs
Unitek College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,716 in 3.2 years versus 3.3 years at Chamberlain University-California, on median earnings of $79,550 vs $92,405 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Unitek College | Chamberlain University-California |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,179 | $36,559 |
| Total net cost | $100,716 | $146,236 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $79,550 | $92,405 |
| Median debt | $10,700 | $20,919 |
| Payback | 3.2 yrs | 3.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $523,084 | $734,664 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Unitek College or Chamberlain University-California?
Unitek College, at $25,179 a year after aid versus $36,559 — a gap of $11,380 a year, or $45,520 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 Unitek College or Chamberlain University-California graduates earn more?
Chamberlain University-California graduates report a median $92,405 ten years after entry, $12,855 more than the $79,550 at Unitek 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, Unitek College or Chamberlain University-California?
Unitek College: its completers carry a median $10,700 in federal loans versus $20,919 at Chamberlain University-California, a difference of $10,219. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.