Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Irvine vs Stanbridge University: which has better ROI?
Option A Irvine, CA
University of California-Irvine
- Net price / year
- $14,251
- Earnings, 10 years
- $80,735
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Option B Irvine, CA
Stanbridge University
- Net price / year
- $45,372
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,144
- Payback
- 13.2 yrs
University of California-Irvine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,004 in 1.8 years versus 13.2 years at Stanbridge University, on median earnings of $80,735 vs $62,144 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Irvine | Stanbridge University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,251 | $45,372 |
| Total net cost | $57,004 | $181,488 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,735 | $62,144 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 13.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,496 | $94,192 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of California-Irvine or Stanbridge University?
University of California-Irvine, at $14,251 a year after aid versus $45,372 — a gap of $31,121 a year, or $124,484 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 University of California-Irvine or Stanbridge University graduates earn more?
University of California-Irvine graduates report a median $80,735 ten years after entry, $18,591 more than the $62,144 at Stanbridge University. 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, University of California-Irvine or Stanbridge University?
University of California-Irvine: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Stanbridge University, a difference of $5,000. 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?
87% of students finish at University of California-Irvine, against 62% at Stanbridge University. 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.