2026 data College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc

Open-data reference.

We found 2 schools structurally similar to Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc that cost less. 2 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc

Sacramento, California · Private For-Profit

$28,887
Net Price
$48,341
Median Earnings (10yr)
N/A
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Graduation Rate

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc

Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc posts an average net price of $28,887 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc across six dimensions — ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, graduate earnings, and completion rate. 2 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $2,895, achieved by West Coast University-Texas at $25,992. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 2 of the 2 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc’s $48,341, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $103,538.

The similarity scoring treats enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector as high-weight features because those structural attributes correlate most strongly with student experience and post-graduation outcomes in the College Scorecard literature. Admission rate and graduation rate enter as secondary features, while net price drives the cost-ranking that determines which institutions appear. Net price is an IPEDS-reported figure calculated as the average cost of attendance minus institutional and federal grants for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving Title IV aid — so it already accounts for the aid a typical admitted student would receive. That makes it a more honest cost comparison than sticker-price tuition alone.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

2
Alternatives Found
$2,895
Max Savings
2
Better Value Options
52%
Best Match

Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · 2024 (latest release) Median 10-year earnings reflect federal-aid recipients only; net price reflects sticker price minus average grants/scholarships.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
West Coast University-Texas
Richardson, TX · Private For-Profit Better Value
$25,992 -$2,895 $102,672 N/A 52%
St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens
Rego Park, NY · Private For-Profit Better Value
$26,315 -$2,572 $104,403 N/A 48%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, graduate earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc?
We found 2 schools similar to Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc that cost less. The closest match is West Coast University-Texas with 52% similarity and a net price of $25,992.
What is the ROI of attending Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc?
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc has an average net price of $28,887. Graduates earn a median of $48,341 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 1.7x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc for less money?
Yes — 2 of 2 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. West Coast University-Texas costs $25,992 (saving $2,895) with median earnings of $102,672.
What is the cheapest alternative to Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc?
The most affordable similar school is West Coast University-Texas at $25,992, saving $2,895 compared to Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc. It has a 52% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 2 alternatives have an average median earnings of $103,538 compared to Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc's $48,341. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary — check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.