California State University-Monterey Bay vs University of Redlands: which has better ROI?
University of Redlands has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $120,124 in 4.9 years versus 5 years at California State University-Monterey Bay, on median earnings of $72,690 vs $59,247 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Monterey Bay | University of Redlands |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,663 | $30,031 |
| Total net cost | $54,652 | $120,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,247 | $72,690 |
| Median debt | $12,750 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | 4.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $163,088 | $366,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Monterey Bay or University of Redlands?
California State University-Monterey Bay, at $13,663 a year after aid versus $30,031 — a gap of $16,368 a year, or $65,472 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-Monterey Bay or University of Redlands graduates earn more?
University of Redlands graduates report a median $72,690 ten years after entry, $13,443 more than the $59,247 at California State University-Monterey Bay. 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-Monterey Bay or University of Redlands?
California State University-Monterey Bay: its completers carry a median $12,750 in federal loans versus $26,000 at University of Redlands, a difference of $13,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at University of Redlands, against 59% at California State University-Monterey Bay. 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.