California State University-Long Beach vs San Diego State University: 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 3.7 years at San Diego State University, on median earnings of $64,403 vs $64,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Long Beach | San Diego State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,440 | $15,364 |
| Total net cost | $41,760 | $61,456 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,403 | $64,909 |
| Median debt | $14,289 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $279,100 | $269,524 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Long Beach or San Diego State University?
California State University-Long Beach, at $10,440 a year after aid versus $15,364 — a gap of $4,924 a year, or $19,696 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 San Diego State University graduates earn more?
San Diego State University graduates report a median $64,909 ten years after entry, $506 more than the $64,403 at California State University-Long Beach. 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 San Diego State University?
California State University-Long Beach: its completers carry a median $14,289 in federal loans versus $15,000 at San Diego State University, a difference of $711. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at San Diego State University, 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.