California State University-East Bay vs California State University-Stanislaus: which has better ROI?
California State University-East Bay has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,280 in 1.6 years versus 1.6 years at California State University-Stanislaus, on median earnings of $71,401 vs $63,188 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-East Bay | California State University-Stanislaus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,320 | $6,067 |
| Total net cost | $37,280 | $24,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,401 | $63,188 |
| Median debt | $16,544 | $13,540 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $423,540 | $272,292 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-East Bay or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Stanislaus, at $6,067 a year after aid versus $9,320 — a gap of $3,253 a year, or $13,012 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-East Bay or California State University-Stanislaus graduates earn more?
California State University-East Bay graduates report a median $71,401 ten years after entry, $8,213 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 State University-East Bay or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Stanislaus: its completers carry a median $13,540 in federal loans versus $16,544 at California State University-East Bay, a difference of $3,004. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at California State University-Stanislaus, against 48% at California State University-East Bay. 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.