Ashford University vs University of Silicon Valley
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Silicon Valley holds a 17-point ROI advantage over Ashford University, scoring 23/100 versus 6/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Silicon Valley comes in at $27,815 per year (net price after aid) versus $31,266 at Ashford University - a difference of $3,451 annually, or roughly $13,804 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Silicon Valley graduates earn a median of $51,017 compared to $35,404 at Ashford University. The payback period is 656.1 years at Ashford University versus 15.7 years at University of Silicon Valley.
Graduates leave University of Silicon Valley with a median $31,000 in debt versus $31,250 at Ashford University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.92 and 0.82 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Ashford University | University of Silicon Val... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,960 | $22,480 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $11,960 | $22,480 |
| Net Price (avg) | $31,266 | $27,815 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $125,064 | $111,260 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,000 | $37,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $35,404 | $51,017 |
| Graduation Rate | 10.7% | 28.7% |
| Payback Period | 656.1 yr | 15.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $31,250 | $31,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $331 | $329 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.92 | 0.82 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 42.1% | 57.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 29.3% | 73.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 51.2% |
| Enrollment | 20,152 | 455 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Ashford University | University of Silico... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $31,009 | $24,350 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $31,862 | $27,140 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $33,319 | $28,102 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $32,953 | $28,144 |
| $110,001+ | $33,593 | $34,379 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Ashford University | University of Silico... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 7 | 27 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 7 | 36 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 8 | 13 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 1 | 10 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 4 | 14 |
| Overall ROI Score | 6 | 23 |
The Verdict
University of Silicon Valley significantly outperforms Ashford University on financial ROI (23 vs 6). The 17-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Ashford University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Silicon Valley.
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Ashford University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Silicon Valley
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.