California State University-Los Angeles vs California State University-Stanislaus: which has better ROI?
California State University-Los Angeles has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $15,868 in 1.5 years versus 1.6 years at California State University-Stanislaus, on median earnings of $59,211 vs $63,188 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Los Angeles | California State University-Stanislaus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,967 | $6,067 |
| Total net cost | $15,868 | $24,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,211 | $63,188 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $13,540 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $201,152 | $272,292 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Los Angeles or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $6,067 — a gap of $2,100 a year, or $8,400 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-Los Angeles or California State University-Stanislaus graduates earn more?
California State University-Stanislaus graduates report a median $63,188 ten years after entry, $3,977 more than the $59,211 at California State University-Los Angeles. 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-Los Angeles or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $13,540 at California State University-Stanislaus, a difference of $540. 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 53% at California State University-Los Angeles. 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.