Head-to-head · 2026
Modesto Junior College vs Santiago Canyon College
Compare average net price ($2,818 at Modesto Junior College; $2,129 at Santiago Canyon College), ROI score (37.59 vs 52.79), ten-year median earnings ($42,368 vs $44,956), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Modesto Junior College; Open / not reported at Santiago Canyon College) using federal College Scorecard data. Santiago Canyon College has a 4-0 metric-level edge. Santiago Canyon College has the stronger ROI signal here, though the final choice should still account for aid, major and campus fit.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Modesto Junior College | Santiago Canyon College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 37.59 | 52.79 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $2,818 | $2,129 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $42,368 | $44,956 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 29.6% | 47.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $5,125 |
| Enrollment | 15,109 | 10,579 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 0 | 4 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Modesto Junior College costs $689 more per year than Santiago Canyon College ($2,818 vs $2,129). Santiago Canyon College graduates report $2,588 higher median earnings after ten years ($44,956 vs $42,368). On EduGradify's model that puts Santiago Canyon College ahead on projected ROI (52.79 vs 37.59, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Santiago Canyon College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Modesto Junior College vs Santiago Canyon College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Modesto Junior College or Santiago Canyon College the better value?
Santiago Canyon College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (52.79 vs 37.59), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Santiago Canyon College is cheaper — average net price $2,129 per year vs $2,818 at Modesto Junior College. The annual difference of $689 adds up to about $2,756 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Santiago Canyon College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $44,956 vs $42,368 at Modesto Junior College. The annual gap in the federal data is $2,588.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Modesto Junior College reports a A+ value grade; Santiago Canyon College reports A+.