California State University-Los Angeles vs Los Angeles City 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 not at all at Los Angeles City College, on median earnings of $59,211 vs $36,190 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles City College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,967 | $10,261 |
| Total net cost | $15,868 | $20,522 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,211 | $36,190 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $12,750 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $201,152 | -$263,922 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Los Angeles or Los Angeles City College?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $10,261 — a gap of $6,294 a year, or $4,654 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 Los Angeles City College graduates earn more?
California State University-Los Angeles graduates report a median $59,211 ten years after entry, $23,021 more than the $36,190 at Los Angeles 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-Los Angeles or Los Angeles City College?
Los Angeles City College: its completers carry a median $12,750 in federal loans versus $13,000 at California State University-Los Angeles, a difference of $250. 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-Los Angeles, against 29% at Los Angeles 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.