California State University-Bakersfield vs Claremont McKenna College: which has better ROI?
Claremont McKenna College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,396 in 2 years versus 2.1 years at California State University-Bakersfield, on median earnings of $104,736 vs $59,009 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Bakersfield | Claremont McKenna College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,652 | $28,849 |
| Total net cost | $22,608 | $115,396 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,009 | $104,736 |
| Median debt | $16,600 | $13,500 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $190,372 | $1,012,124 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Bakersfield or Claremont McKenna College?
California State University-Bakersfield, at $5,652 a year after aid versus $28,849 — a gap of $23,197 a year, or $92,788 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 State University-Bakersfield or Claremont McKenna College graduates earn more?
Claremont McKenna College graduates report a median $104,736 ten years after entry, $45,727 more than the $59,009 at California State University-Bakersfield. 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 State University-Bakersfield or Claremont McKenna College?
Claremont McKenna College: its completers carry a median $13,500 in federal loans versus $16,600 at California State University-Bakersfield, a difference of $3,100. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
91% of students finish at Claremont McKenna College, against 50% at California State University-Bakersfield. 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.