California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs California State University-Stanislaus: which has better ROI?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,660 in 1.6 years versus 1.6 years at California State University-Stanislaus, on median earnings of $90,768 vs $63,188 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | California State University-Stanislaus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,665 | $6,067 |
| Total net cost | $66,660 | $24,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $90,768 | $63,188 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $13,540 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $781,500 | $272,292 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Stanislaus, at $6,067 a year after aid versus $16,665 — a gap of $10,598 a year, or $42,392 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California State University-Stanislaus graduates earn more?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates report a median $90,768 ten years after entry, $27,580 more than the $63,188 at California State University-Stanislaus. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Stanislaus: its completers carry a median $13,540 in federal loans versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a difference of $4,960. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, against 53% at California State University-Stanislaus. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.