California State University-San Bernardino vs San Bernardino Valley College: which has better ROI?
California State University-San Bernardino has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $18,256 in 1.6 years versus not at all at San Bernardino Valley College, on median earnings of $59,977 vs $39,676 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-San Bernardino | San Bernardino Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,564 | $18,943 |
| Total net cost | $18,256 | $37,886 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,977 | $39,676 |
| Median debt | $14,715 | — |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $214,084 | -$211,566 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-San Bernardino or San Bernardino Valley College?
California State University-San Bernardino, at $4,564 a year after aid versus $18,943 — a gap of $14,379 a year, or $19,630 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 San Bernardino Valley College graduates earn more?
California State University-San Bernardino graduates report a median $59,977 ten years after entry, $20,301 more than the $39,676 at San Bernardino Valley 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 graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at California State University-San Bernardino, against 28% at San Bernardino Valley 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.