Head-to-head comparison
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California vs Universal Technical Institute of California Inc: which has better ROI?
Option A Long Beach, CA
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California
- Net price / year
- $27,506
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,873
- Payback
- 12.2 yrs
Option B Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Universal Technical Institute of California Inc
- Net price / year
- $26,360
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,873
- Payback
- 11.7 yrs
Universal Technical Institute of California Inc has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $52,720 in 11.7 years versus 12.2 years at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California, on median earnings of $52,873 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Universal Technical Institute-Southern California | Universal Technical Institute of California Inc |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,506 | $26,360 |
| Total net cost | $55,012 | $52,720 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,873 | $52,873 |
| Median debt | $13,124 | $13,124 |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | 11.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $35,248 | $37,540 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc?
Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, at $26,360 a year after aid versus $27,506 — a gap of $1,146 a year, or $2,292 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 Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc graduates earn more?
Graduates of both report a median $52,873 ten years after entry, so earnings do not separate them either — the ROI difference comes entirely from what each degree costs. Figures are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, not programme-level pay.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Universal Technical Institute-Southern California or Universal Technical Institute of California Inc?
Completers at both borrow a median $13,124, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute of California Inc, against 63% at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California. 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.