Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Irvine vs Unitek College: 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 Hayward, CA
Unitek College
- Net price / year
- $19,130
- Earnings, 10 years
- $87,877
- Payback
- 1.9 yrs
University of California-Irvine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,004 in 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Unitek College, on median earnings of $80,735 vs $87,877 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Irvine | Unitek College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,251 | $19,130 |
| Total net cost | $57,004 | $76,520 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,735 | $87,877 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $10,700 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,496 | $713,820 |
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 Unitek College?
University of California-Irvine, at $14,251 a year after aid versus $19,130 — a gap of $4,879 a year, or $19,516 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 Unitek College graduates earn more?
Unitek College graduates report a median $87,877 ten years after entry, $7,142 more than the $80,735 at University of California-Irvine. 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 Unitek College?
Unitek College: its completers carry a median $10,700 in federal loans versus $15,000 at University of California-Irvine, a difference of $4,300. 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 63% at Unitek 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.