Head-to-head comparison
West Valley College vs Northeastern University Oakland: which has better ROI?
Option A Saratoga, CA
West Valley College
- Net price / year
- $3,423
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,688
- Payback
- 2.1 yrs
Option B Oakland, CA
Northeastern University Oakland
- Net price / year
- $25,181
- Earnings, 10 years
- $92,538
- Payback
- 2.3 yrs
West Valley College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $6,846 in 2.1 years versus 2.3 years at Northeastern University Oakland, on median earnings of $51,688 vs $92,538 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | West Valley College | Northeastern University Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,423 | $25,181 |
| Total net cost | $6,846 | $100,724 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,688 | $92,538 |
| Median debt | — | $24,250 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 2.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $59,714 | $782,836 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, West Valley College or Northeastern University Oakland?
West Valley College, at $3,423 a year after aid versus $25,181 — a gap of $21,758 a year, or $93,878 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 Valley College or Northeastern University Oakland graduates earn more?
Northeastern University Oakland graduates report a median $92,538 ten years after entry, $40,850 more than the $51,688 at West Valley College. 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.