California State University-Sacramento vs Sacramento City 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 Sacramento City College, on median earnings of $64,876 vs $42,214 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Sacramento | Sacramento City College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,338 | $6,614 |
| Total net cost | $37,352 | $13,228 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,876 | $42,214 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $10,500 |
| Payback | 2.3 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $292,968 | -$136,148 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Sacramento or Sacramento City College?
Sacramento City College, at $6,614 a year after aid versus $9,338 — a gap of $2,724 a year, or $24,124 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 Sacramento City College graduates earn more?
California State University-Sacramento graduates report a median $64,876 ten years after entry, $22,662 more than the $42,214 at Sacramento 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-Sacramento or Sacramento City College?
Sacramento City College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $15,000 at California State University-Sacramento, a difference of $4,500. 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 33% at Sacramento 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.