At $20,979/yr net price, Pacific Union College graduates earn $70,484/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $36,484/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,979 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,916 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $70,484/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$36,484/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,903/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,897/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,211/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,495/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,182/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $92,410 | $29,833 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $31,839 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $25,967 |
The Risk Factor
51.5% of students at Pacific Union College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Pacific Union College's financial picture rests almost entirely on one program. Nursing graduates clear $92,410 a year, which puts them roughly three times ahead of business grads coming out of the same school. That single number carries the whole median. If you graduate from nursing here, the math works cleanly: your debt at graduation is close to a third of your first-decade earnings, and California's demand for RNs gives you a regional job market that absorbs you fast.
Outside nursing, the returns fall apart. Business/Commerce graduates earn $31,839 while carrying $27,000 in debt, meaning your debt nearly equals your annual pay ten years out. Health and Physical Education is worse at $25,967. Those two programs leave you with a debt load that barely differs from nursing's, but a fraction of the income to service it. Picking one of those majors at this school is a weak financial bet.
The second risk is finishing at all. Just over half of students graduate, so there's a real chance you pay for years and leave without the credential that makes the nursing salary possible. Retention is strong in year one, but the gap between that and the final grad rate is where the money gets lost.
On price, families earning under $30k pay well below the sticker figure, and the tiers climb steadily with income, so a higher-earning family pays close to the full net price. For you, the calculus is simple: this school pays off if you enroll in nursing, finish, and land a California RN job. If you're aiming at business, fitness, or you're unsure you'll complete the degree, the numbers here don't justify the cost, and you should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific Union College worth the cost?
Pacific Union College's nursing programs offer strong ROI with graduates earning $92,410, but other majors like business ($31,839) and physical education ($25,967) show poor returns given the $21,000 annual cost. With a 51% graduation rate, nearly half of students don't finish their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Pacific Union College?
Nursing programs at Pacific Union College provide the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning around $92,410 annually. Business and physical education majors earn significantly less at $31,839 and $25,967 respectively, making these programs questionable investments.
How much debt do Pacific Union College graduates have?
Pacific Union College graduates carry a median debt of $27,500. For nursing majors, this debt load is manageable given their higher earnings, but business and education graduates may struggle with loan payments on their lower salaries.
What is the graduation rate at Pacific Union College?
Pacific Union College has a 51% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students who enroll don't complete their degrees. This low completion rate adds significant financial risk since students may accumulate debt without earning a degree.