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Head-to-head comparison

University of California-Riverside vs Gnomon: which has better ROI?

Public, Riverside CA · vs · Private for-profit, North Hollywood CA

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

Option A Riverside, CA

University of California-Riverside

Net price / year
$14,304
Earnings, 10 years
$67,699
Payback
3 yrs

Option B North Hollywood, CA

Gnomon

Net price / year
$51,949
Earnings, 10 years
$114,785
Payback
3.1 yrs
The verdict

University of California-Riverside has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,216 in 3 years versus 3.1 years at Gnomon, on median earnings of $67,699 vs $114,785 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of California-RiversideGnomon
Net price / yr$14,304$51,949
Total net cost$57,216$207,796
Median earnings, 10 yrs$67,699$114,785
Median debt$17,500$28,332
Payback3 yrs3.1 yrs
20-year net return$329,564$1,120,704

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of California-Riverside or Gnomon?

University of California-Riverside, at $14,304 a year after aid versus $51,949 — a gap of $37,645 a year, or $150,580 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-Riverside or Gnomon graduates earn more?

Gnomon graduates report a median $114,785 ten years after entry, $47,086 more than the $67,699 at University of California-Riverside. 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-Riverside or Gnomon?

University of California-Riverside: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $28,332 at Gnomon, a difference of $10,832. 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?

100% of students finish at Gnomon, against 76% at University of California-Riverside. 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.

University of California-Riverside vs Gnomon: frequently asked questions

Is University of California-Riverside or Gnomon a better value?
University of California-Riverside. It clears its $57,216 net cost in about 3 years versus 3.1 years at Gnomon, on median earnings of $67,699 vs $114,785 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Riverside or Gnomon?
University of California-Riverside: $14,304/yr net price after aid versus $51,949/yr at Gnomon — a difference of $37,645 a year, or about $150,580 over four years.
Do University of California-Riverside or Gnomon graduates earn more?
Gnomon graduates earn a median $114,785 ten years after entry, versus $67,699 at University of California-Riverside — a $47,086 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.