California State University-Chico vs Mount Saint Mary's University: which has better ROI?
Mount Saint Mary's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,652 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at California State University-Chico, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $64,172 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Chico | Mount Saint Mary's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,480 | $21,413 |
| Total net cost | $57,920 | $85,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,172 | $72,379 |
| Median debt | $16,552 | $25,949 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $258,320 | $394,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Chico or Mount Saint Mary's University?
California State University-Chico, at $14,480 a year after aid versus $21,413 — a gap of $6,933 a year, or $27,732 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-Chico or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?
Mount Saint Mary's University graduates report a median $72,379 ten years after entry, $8,207 more than the $64,172 at California State University-Chico. 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-Chico or Mount Saint Mary's University?
California State University-Chico: its completers carry a median $16,552 in federal loans versus $25,949 at Mount Saint Mary's University, a difference of $9,397. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at California State University-Chico, against 53% at Mount Saint Mary's University. 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.