Head-to-head comparison
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County vs Northeastern University Oakland: which has better ROI?
Option A Anaheim, CA
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County
- Net price / year
- $32,879
- Earnings, 10 years
- $102,672
- Payback
- 2.4 yrs
Option B Oakland, CA
Northeastern University Oakland
- Net price / year
- $25,181
- Earnings, 10 years
- $92,538
- Payback
- 2.3 yrs
Northeastern University Oakland has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,724 in 2.3 years versus 2.4 years at West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County, on median earnings of $92,538 vs $102,672 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County | Northeastern University Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,879 | $25,181 |
| Total net cost | $131,516 | $100,724 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $102,672 | $92,538 |
| Median debt | $32,946 | $24,250 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | 2.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $954,724 | $782,836 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County or Northeastern University Oakland?
Northeastern University Oakland, at $25,181 a year after aid versus $32,879 — a gap of $7,698 a year, or $30,792 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 West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County or Northeastern University Oakland graduates earn more?
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County graduates report a median $102,672 ten years after entry, $10,134 more than the $92,538 at Northeastern University Oakland. 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, West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County or Northeastern University Oakland?
Northeastern University Oakland: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $32,946 at West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County, a difference of $8,696. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.