Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Pacific Union College Worth It?
At a value score of 23/100, Pacific Union College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $70,484 — 31% above average — while paying $41,008/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Pacific Union College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pacific Union College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #23 of 24 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Soka University of America | 67 | $18,260 | $55,017 |
| #2 | William Jewell College | 54 | $17,562 | $59,268 |
| #3 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #4 | College of Saint Mary | 49 | $16,590 | $54,338 |
| #5 | Austin College | 49 | $21,107 | $61,296 |
| #6 | Hampden-Sydney College | 48 | $22,400 | $67,640 |
| #23 | Pacific Union College | 23 | $41,008 | $70,484 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Pacific Union College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in CA.
Best Programs at Pacific Union College
The highest-earning program at Pacific Union College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $89,700/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Pacific Union College earns $89,700, while a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate earns $89,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $31,000 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $41,008/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $89,700 | $89,700 | $31,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Angwin, CA
- Student Body
- 805 students
- Admission Rate
- 47%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $41,008
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,484
- Median Student Debt
- $27,500