California State University-Los Angeles vs De Anza College: 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 De Anza College, on median earnings of $59,211 vs $56,596 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Los Angeles | De Anza College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,967 | $6,642 |
| Total net cost | $15,868 | $13,284 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,211 | $56,596 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $5,625 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $201,152 | $151,436 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Los Angeles or De Anza College?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $6,642 — a gap of $2,675 a year, or $2,584 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 De Anza College graduates earn more?
California State University-Los Angeles graduates report a median $59,211 ten years after entry, $2,615 more than the $56,596 at De Anza 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-Los Angeles or De Anza College?
De Anza College: its completers carry a median $5,625 in federal loans versus $13,000 at California State University-Los Angeles, a difference of $7,375. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at De Anza College, 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.