California State University-San Bernardino vs California State University-Stanislaus: which has better ROI?
California State University-Stanislaus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $24,268 in 1.6 years versus 1.6 years at California State University-San Bernardino, on median earnings of $63,188 vs $59,977 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-San Bernardino | California State University-Stanislaus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,564 | $6,067 |
| Total net cost | $18,256 | $24,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,977 | $63,188 |
| Median debt | $14,715 | $13,540 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $214,084 | $272,292 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-San Bernardino or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-San Bernardino, at $4,564 a year after aid versus $6,067 — a gap of $1,503 a year, or $6,012 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-San Bernardino or California State University-Stanislaus graduates earn more?
California State University-Stanislaus graduates report a median $63,188 ten years after entry, $3,211 more than the $59,977 at California State University-San Bernardino. 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-San Bernardino or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Stanislaus: its completers carry a median $13,540 in federal loans versus $14,715 at California State University-San Bernardino, a difference of $1,175. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at California State University-San Bernardino, against 53% at California State University-Stanislaus. 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.