Moreno Valley College Leads Inland Empire, Ranks 12th Statewide in Rapid Student Return on Investment
Moreno Valley College has been recognized as the top-ranked community college in the Inland Empire and 12th statewide for delivering one of the fastest returns on investment for students, with graduates typically earning back their education costs in just under two and a half months (about 10 weeks), according to a new analysis of California’s community and career colleges.
The report, Golden Returns: A Regional Look at the ROI of California’s Community and Career Colleges, was conducted by the Oakland-based College Futures Foundation in partnership with the HEA Group. Researchers examined 327 public and private two-year institutions to determine how quickly graduates can recoup their out-of-pocket education costs.
Results show the typical MVC student earns back their net cost of education in just 0.2 years (less than three months) after completing their program. Ten years after enrollment, MVC graduates report median annual earnings of $52,133, which is $19,657 more than the median salary of California high school graduates with no college experience.
“This recognition is yet another example of the commitment of my colleagues and community partners to place student success at the center of everything we do,” said Rudy Besikof, Ed.D., president of Moreno Valley College. “For our Mountain Lions, an investment in education quickly becomes opportunity, economic mobility, and a brighter future for our graduates and their families.”
About the study
The Golden Returns report uses the Price-to-Earnings Premium (PEP) metric, which calculates how long it takes for students to pay back their net costs — tuition and fees minus grants and scholarships — with the additional earnings gained from their education.
For MVC, the annual net price is $1,996, or $3,992 for a typical two-year associate degree. Strong wage outcomes mean graduates recoup that investment almost immediately after entering the workforce.
MVC’s performance places it among the top 25 institutions statewide, a group recognized across California’s 12 economic regions. The report notes these top performers often serve a high percentage of low-income students, keep annual costs under $5,000, and produce median earnings at least $10,000 above a high school graduate’s income.
Statewide context
Across the top 25 institutions, students recover their educational costs within six months of completion. In contrast, at some schools, particularly among private institutions, it can take a decade or longer, and in certain cases, graduates may never fully recoup their investment.
The number one-ranked school statewide was Skyline College in San Bruno. In the Inland Empire, MVC earned the highest ranking, with other public institutions in the region posting longer recoup times than MVC’s rapid 0.2-year timeframe.
According to the study, “This straightforward approach cuts through marketing claims and focuses on the economic reality for California’s learners.” Eloy Ortiz Oakley, president and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, said, “At College Futures Foundation, we believe postsecondary education must deliver more value for more learners in more places. This distinction reflects your institution’s dedication to affordability, learner-centered support, and alignment with workforce opportunity. It also sets an example for what’s possible when institutions are truly focused on outcomes that matter,” referring to Moreno Valley College’s achievement.
Learn more
To learn more, view the complete Golden Returns analysis. Also, visit Moreno Valley College’s admissions page, or contact an enrollment advisor today to see how you can join our Mountain Lions and begin earning your investment back in record time.