Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, CA 22,485 Undergrads 18.9% Grad Rate

School Website|Financial Calculator

Total Cost

$12,375

Sticker Price

Avg Net Price

$3,133

After Aid

Median Earnings

$63,039

4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$3,133

Peer Midpoint: $17,333.5

Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$63,039

Peer Midpoint: $34,461

Graduation Rate18.9%

Peer Midpoint: 68.7%

Socio-Economic Diversity

Pell Grant Recipients18.2%

Enrollment Status

Full-Time18.9%

Economic Outcomes

Earn More than HS61.6%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance

100.0%

SAT Avg

SAT Reading

25th: --75th: -

SAT Math

25th: --75th: -

ACT Composite

25th: --75th: -

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV

Vs Median Peer

Vs HS Grad

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

+$712k

+$320k

+$227k

Median Cost$3k/yr

+$709k

+$317k

+$224k

Full Cost$12k/yr

+$700k

+$309k

+$216k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age

Return on Inv. %

Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0

∞

Median Cost$3k/yr

7719%

Full Cost$12k/yr

1880%

Analysis Assumptions:

Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return3786%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return859%

Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Certificates

Accounting and Related Services

CertCIP: 5203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$56,282

Natl Median: $44,589

Lifetime Value Added

+$155k

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

CertCIP: 5108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$42,662

Natl Median: $34,272

Lifetime Value Added

+$10k

American Sign Language

CertCIP: 1616

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,771

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Apparel and Textiles

CertCIP: 1909

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $25,340

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 1002

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $33,223

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biotechnology

CertCIP: 2612

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $44,955

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Business Administration, Management and Operations

CertCIP: 5202

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$47,100

Natl Median: $47,440

Lifetime Value Added

+$58k

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

CertCIP: 5204

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$55,898

Natl Median: $32,681

Lifetime Value Added

+$151k

Communication and Media Studies

CertCIP: 0901

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $43,761

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Programming

CertCIP: 1102

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $56,556

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

CertCIP: 1107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $77,690

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Software and Media Applications

CertCIP: 1108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,400

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

CertCIP: 1109

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,162

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management

CertCIP: 1110

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $52,615

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Construction Trades, Other

CertCIP: 4699

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $46,777

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

CertCIP: 1204

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $26,307

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Criminal Justice and Corrections

CertCIP: 4301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $57,702

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Culinary Arts and Related Services

CertCIP: 1205

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $30,572

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Design and Applied Arts

CertCIP: 5004

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $36,116

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 1513

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,359

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 1504

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $65,202

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Engineering, General

CertCIP: 1401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $79,019

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

CertCIP: 5207

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $50,211

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 1505

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $45,268

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

CertCIP: 5006

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $32,800

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Fire Protection

CertCIP: 4302

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$68,944

Natl Median: $62,436

Lifetime Value Added

+$283k

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

CertCIP: 5218

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $52,001

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Graphic Communications

CertCIP: 1003

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $32,130

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 4703

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $62,199

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

CertCIP: 1907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$36,584

Natl Median: $31,135

Lifetime Value Added

-$56k

International Business

CertCIP: 5211

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$54,920

Natl Median: $72,496

Lifetime Value Added

+$141k

Journalism

CertCIP: 0904

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,137

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Legal Support Services

CertCIP: 2203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $49,747

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

CertCIP: 2401

Median Debt

$10,250

Earnings (4yr)

$45,753

Natl Median: $44,906

Lifetime Value Added

+$44k

Library and Archives Assisting

CertCIP: 2503

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $40,350

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

CertCIP: 1601

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $45,242

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Non-Professional Legal Studies

CertCIP: 2200

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $78,149

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Precision Metal Working

CertCIP: 4805

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$68,633

Natl Median: $48,702

Lifetime Value Added

+$280k

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication

CertCIP: 0907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $33,711

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Special Education and Teaching

CertCIP: 1310

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $48,019

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

CertCIP: 3105

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $37,647

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Teaching Assistants/Aides

CertCIP: 1315

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $24,479

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians

CertCIP: 4706

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$57,369

Natl Median: $51,586

Lifetime Value Added

+$167k

Associate's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services

AssocCIP: 5203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$54,492

Natl Median: $47,660

Lifetime Value Added

+$86k

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

AssocCIP: 5108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$47,971

Natl Median: $42,269

Lifetime Value Added

+$22k

Anthropology

AssocCIP: 4502

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $39,638

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Apparel and Textiles

AssocCIP: 1909

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $45,422

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Area Studies

AssocCIP: 0501

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $42,846

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Biological and Physical Sciences

AssocCIP: 3001

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$50,156

Natl Median: $50,181

Lifetime Value Added

+$44k

Biology, General

AssocCIP: 2601

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $44,758

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Business Administration, Management and Operations

AssocCIP: 5202

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$53,388

Natl Median: $48,733

Lifetime Value Added

+$75k

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

AssocCIP: 5204

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $37,587

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Chemistry

AssocCIP: 4005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $51,597

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Communication and Media Studies

AssocCIP: 0901

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$47,880

Natl Median: $43,243

Lifetime Value Added

+$21k

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

AssocCIP: 5102

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$45,971

Natl Median: $40,082

Lifetime Value Added

+$2k

Computer and Information Sciences, General

AssocCIP: 1101

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $54,246

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Computer Science

AssocCIP: 1107

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $62,283

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Criminal Justice and Corrections

AssocCIP: 4301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$48,682

Natl Median: $46,706

Lifetime Value Added

+$29k

Dance

AssocCIP: 5003

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $30,547

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Design and Applied Arts

AssocCIP: 5004

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $38,127

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 1513

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,895

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

AssocCIP: 5005

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $31,773

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Economics

AssocCIP: 4506

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,068

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 1504

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $73,046

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Engineering, General

AssocCIP: 1401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $72,916

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

English Language and Literature, General

AssocCIP: 2301

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$38,049

Natl Median: $36,134

Lifetime Value Added

-$77k

Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

AssocCIP: 5207

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $40,095

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 1505

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $55,148

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

AssocCIP: 0502

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $38,387

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Film/Video and Photographic Arts

AssocCIP: 5006

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $33,186

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Fine and Studio Arts

AssocCIP: 5007

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$29,816

Natl Median: $31,650

Lifetime Value Added

-$161k

Fire Protection

AssocCIP: 4302

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$74,290

Natl Median: $73,589

Lifetime Value Added

+$269k

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services

AssocCIP: 1905

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $39,400

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

AssocCIP: 5218

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $46,500

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Geography and Cartography

AssocCIP: 4507

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,052

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

AssocCIP: 4006

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $46,694

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Health/Medical Preparatory Programs

AssocCIP: 5111

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $51,711

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

History

AssocCIP: 5401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $38,929

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

AssocCIP: 1907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$39,025

Natl Median: $34,184

Lifetime Value Added

-$67k

Human Services, General

AssocCIP: 4400

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$45,516

Natl Median: $39,422

Lifetime Value Added

-$2k

International Business

AssocCIP: 5211

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $53,207

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Journalism

AssocCIP: 0904

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,496

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Legal Support Services

AssocCIP: 2203

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $44,669

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

AssocCIP: 2401

Median Debt

$6,065

Earnings (4yr)

$45,791

Natl Median: $44,125

Lifetime Value Added

+$632

Library and Archives Assisting

AssocCIP: 2503

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $33,475

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

AssocCIP: 1601

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $37,796

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Mathematics

AssocCIP: 2701

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$66,282

Natl Median: $59,929

Lifetime Value Added

+$197k

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

AssocCIP: 3099

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$52,099

Natl Median: $50,491

Lifetime Value Added

+$63k

Music

AssocCIP: 5009

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $34,056

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Philosophy

AssocCIP: 3801

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $41,229

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Physics

AssocCIP: 4008

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$73,770

Natl Median: $63,321

Lifetime Value Added

+$264k

Political Science and Government

AssocCIP: 4510

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $45,147

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Precision Metal Working

AssocCIP: 4805

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$65,618

Natl Median: $56,451

Lifetime Value Added

+$191k

Psychology, General

AssocCIP: 4201

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$40,262

Natl Median: $39,288

Lifetime Value Added

-$55k

Radio, Television, and Digital Communication

AssocCIP: 0907

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $36,074

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

AssocCIP: 5138

Median Debt

$10,500

Earnings (4yr)

$98,342

Natl Median: $80,813

Lifetime Value Added

+$485k

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

AssocCIP: 1609

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $40,755

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Sociology

AssocCIP: 4511

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$45,161

Natl Median: $44,144

Lifetime Value Added

-$6k

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

AssocCIP: 3105

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $40,162

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Teaching Assistants/Aides

AssocCIP: 1315

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $36,642

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians

AssocCIP: 4706

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$66,935

Natl Median: $58,424

Lifetime Value Added

+$203k

Visual and Performing Arts, General

AssocCIP: 5001

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $32,799

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Bachelor's Degrees

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

BachCIP: 5108

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

Natl Median: $68,559

Lifetime Value Added

N/A

Other Programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegCIP: 2401

Median Debt

Earnings (4yr)

$44,824

Natl Median: $56,308

Lifetime Value Added

-$339k

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.