Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College Ranked Among Top 25 California Colleges with Fastest Return on Investment (ROI)
Mission Viejo, CA —Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College, both part of the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD), have been named among the top 25 community and career colleges in California for delivering the fastest return on investment (ROI) for students, according to the Golden Returns report released by the College Futures Foundation in partnership with the HEA Group.
In a statewide analysis of 327 institutions, Irvine Valley College ranked in the top 25 for providing students the shortest time to recoup their educational costs. The colleges were evaluated using a Price-to-Earnings Premium (PEP) metric, which calculates the time it takes for students to earn back the net cost of their education based on the income premium they gain by attending college.
“These rankings underscore our district’s commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality education that leads to real economic mobility for our students,” said Chancellor Julianna M. Asperin Barnes. “At IVC and Saddleback, we are preparing students to transfer or enter the workforce, but most importantly, we are changing lives.”
The Golden Returns analysis covers 1.2 million undergraduate learners across 12 economic regions in California. Each of the top 25 colleges—including IVC and Saddleback—enables the typical student to recoup their out-of-pocket costs within six months of earning a credential.
Most institutions on the list serve high numbers of low-income students, charge less than $5,000 per year, and demonstrate typical earnings at least $10,000 higher than those of high school graduates in the state.
“These results reaffirm that a community college education—especially at IVC and Saddleback—is one of the most effective investments a student can make,” said Board President Carolyn Inmon. “Our colleges are providing not only accessible pathways to degrees and careers, but also a fast track to financial security for thousands of students.”
The report provides regional insight into how California’s community and career colleges are driving economic outcomes, emphasizing the need for transparent data to guide student decision-making and institutional improvement.
For more information about the Golden Returns report and SOCCCD’s student success efforts, visit www.socccd.edu.