Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Santa Cruz vs Pacific Union College: which has better ROI?
Option A Santa Cruz, CA
University of California-Santa Cruz
- Net price / year
- $17,890
- Earnings, 10 years
- $68,396
- Payback
- 3.6 yrs
Option B Angwin, CA
Pacific Union College
- Net price / year
- $41,008
- Earnings, 10 years
- $70,484
- Payback
- 3.7 yrs
University of California-Santa Cruz has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,560 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at Pacific Union College, on median earnings of $68,396 vs $70,484 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Santa Cruz | Pacific Union College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,890 | $41,008 |
| Total net cost | $71,560 | $82,016 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,396 | $70,484 |
| Median debt | $16,666 | $27,500 |
| Payback | 3.6 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $329,160 | $360,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of California-Santa Cruz or Pacific Union College?
University of California-Santa Cruz, at $17,890 a year after aid versus $41,008 — a gap of $23,118 a year, or $10,456 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-Santa Cruz or Pacific Union College graduates earn more?
Pacific Union College graduates report a median $70,484 ten years after entry, $2,088 more than the $68,396 at University of California-Santa Cruz. 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-Santa Cruz or Pacific Union College?
University of California-Santa Cruz: its completers carry a median $16,666 in federal loans versus $27,500 at Pacific Union College, a difference of $10,834. 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?
75% of students finish at University of California-Santa Cruz, against 58% at Pacific Union 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.