California State University-Sacramento vs Cosumnes River College: which has better ROI?
California State University-Sacramento has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,352 in 2.3 years versus not at all at Cosumnes River College, on median earnings of $64,876 vs $42,446 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Sacramento | Cosumnes River College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,338 | $5,981 |
| Total net cost | $37,352 | $11,962 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,876 | $42,446 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $10,722 |
| Payback | 2.3 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $292,968 | -$130,242 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Sacramento or Cosumnes River College?
Cosumnes River College, at $5,981 a year after aid versus $9,338 — a gap of $3,357 a year, or $25,390 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-Sacramento or Cosumnes River College graduates earn more?
California State University-Sacramento graduates report a median $64,876 ten years after entry, $22,430 more than the $42,446 at Cosumnes River 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-Sacramento or Cosumnes River College?
Cosumnes River College: its completers carry a median $10,722 in federal loans versus $15,000 at California State University-Sacramento, a difference of $4,278. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at California State University-Sacramento, against 40% at Cosumnes River 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.