California State University-Fullerton vs California State University-Long Beach: which has better ROI?
California State University-Fullerton has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $26,220 in 1.8 years versus 2.6 years at California State University-Long Beach, on median earnings of $62,951 vs $64,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Fullerton | California State University-Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,555 | $10,440 |
| Total net cost | $26,220 | $41,760 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,951 | $64,403 |
| Median debt | $13,750 | $14,289 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 2.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $265,600 | $279,100 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Fullerton or California State University-Long Beach?
California State University-Fullerton, at $6,555 a year after aid versus $10,440 — a gap of $3,885 a year, or $15,540 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-Fullerton or California State University-Long Beach graduates earn more?
California State University-Long Beach graduates report a median $64,403 ten years after entry, $1,452 more than the $62,951 at California State University-Fullerton. 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-Fullerton or California State University-Long Beach?
California State University-Fullerton: its completers carry a median $13,750 in federal loans versus $14,289 at California State University-Long Beach, a difference of $539. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at California State University-Fullerton, against 69% at California State University-Long Beach. 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.