California State University-Long Beach vs Long Beach City College: which has better ROI?
California State University-Long Beach has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,760 in 2.6 years versus not at all at Long Beach City College, on median earnings of $64,403 vs $38,870 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach City College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,440 | $6,202 |
| Total net cost | $41,760 | $24,808 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,403 | $38,870 |
| Median debt | $14,289 | $10,500 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $279,100 | -$214,608 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Long Beach or Long Beach City College?
Long Beach City College, at $6,202 a year after aid versus $10,440 — a gap of $4,238 a year, or $16,952 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-Long Beach or Long Beach City College graduates earn more?
California State University-Long Beach graduates report a median $64,403 ten years after entry, $25,533 more than the $38,870 at Long Beach City College. 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-Long Beach or Long Beach City College?
Long Beach City College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $14,289 at California State University-Long Beach, a difference of $3,789. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at California State University-Long Beach, against 30% at Long Beach City College. 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.