California State University-Northridge vs California State University-San Marcos: which has better ROI?
California State University-Northridge has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $28,084 in 2.6 years versus 2.8 years at California State University-San Marcos, on median earnings of $59,115 vs $62,908 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Northridge | California State University-San Marcos |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,021 | $10,229 |
| Total net cost | $28,084 | $40,916 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,115 | $62,908 |
| Median debt | $13,872 | $17,350 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $187,016 | $250,044 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Northridge or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-Northridge, at $7,021 a year after aid versus $10,229 — a gap of $3,208 a year, or $12,832 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-Northridge or California State University-San Marcos graduates earn more?
California State University-San Marcos graduates report a median $62,908 ten years after entry, $3,793 more than the $59,115 at California State University-Northridge. 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-Northridge or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-Northridge: its completers carry a median $13,872 in federal loans versus $17,350 at California State University-San Marcos, a difference of $3,478. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at California State University-Northridge, against 55% at California State University-San Marcos. 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.