The college explorer
Find a college.
See what it returns.
Look beyond the sticker price. Explore real costs, graduate earnings, and how long a degree takes to pay for itself.
How we measure value3,376colleges to explore
434with a Strong ROI verdict
College Scorecard · 2026 release
Federal figures. Our calculations.
334 matching colleges · Showing 49–72
Compare collegesBrowse by state or territory
Payback guideStrong ≤5 yearsSolid ≤10Slow ≤20Weak >20 or no payback
California 334 matching
View state rankingWeak ROI
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA
Net price / year$6,331PaybackNot available
Strong ROI
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
Net price / year$4,564Payback1.6 years
Strong ROI
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
Net price / year$10,229Payback2.8 years
Weak ROI
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
Net price / year$7,245PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA
Net price / year$5,981PaybackNot available
Strong ROI
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
Net price / year$14,480Payback3.7 years
Weak ROI
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
Net price / year$13,270PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
Net price / year$4,606PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA
Net price / year$12,152PaybackNot available
Strong ROI
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA
Net price / year$8,615Payback3.9 years
Weak ROI
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
Net price / year$18,943PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA
Net price / year$5,311PaybackNot available
Strong ROI
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
Net price / year-$2,296Payback-6.7 years
Weak ROI
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA
Net price / year$480PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Antelope Valley Community College District
Lancaster, CA
Net price / year$3,860PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
Net price / year$9,053PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA
Net price / year$3,337PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA
Net price / year$10,261PaybackNot available
Strong ROI
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
Net price / year$7,653Payback3.5 years
Strong ROI
National University
San Diego, CA
Net price / year$22,878Payback4.8 years
Weak ROI
Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA
Net price / year$2,129PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
Glendale Community College
Glendale, CA
Net price / year$8,365PaybackNot available
Weak ROI
San Diego City College
San Diego, CA
Net price / year$7,935PaybackNot available
Solid ROI
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA
Net price / year$2,090Payback5.3 years