Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Universal Technical Institute-Southern California worth it?
Pay $27,506/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $52,873 ten years out — about 1.9× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California vs California avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical California college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Universal Technical Institute-Southern California | California avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $27,506 | $19,903 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $52,873 | $55,363 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $13,124 | $17,539 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 62.8% | 54.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | — | 66% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $13,124 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 25% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Universal Technical Institute-Southern California grad earns about $314,920 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Universal Technical Institute-Southern California
The average student at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California pays $27,506 a year after grants and scholarships. That is above the CA average net price of $19,903.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $52,873 — below the CA median of $55,363. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $13,124, roughly $142 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 25% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper California colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Universal Technical Institute-Southern California.
San Mateo, CA · Public College of San Mateo A+ 
Santee, CA · Private Non-Profit San Diego Christian College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $27,506 per year. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $110,024.
How much do Universal Technical Institute-Southern California graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Universal Technical Institute-Southern California graduates earn a median of $52,873 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 1.9× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Universal Technical Institute-Southern California graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $13,124 — about $142/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 60.3% of students take federal loans.
Is Universal Technical Institute-Southern California worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Universal Technical Institute-Southern California a value grade of D — top 83% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $27,506/yr, earn $52,873/yr ten years out, ROI score of 4.81. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California?
62.6% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 60.3% take federal student loans.
How does net price change with family income at Universal Technical Institute-Southern California?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $26,301. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $32,461. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →