California State University-San Marcos vs University of California-Merced: which has better ROI?
California State University-San Marcos has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,916 in 2.8 years versus 3 years at University of California-Merced, on median earnings of $62,908 vs $64,368 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-San Marcos | University of California-Merced |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,229 | $11,983 |
| Total net cost | $40,916 | $47,932 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,908 | $64,368 |
| Median debt | $17,350 | $16,144 |
| Payback | 2.8 yrs | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $250,044 | $272,228 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-San Marcos or University of California-Merced?
California State University-San Marcos, at $10,229 a year after aid versus $11,983 — a gap of $1,754 a year, or $7,016 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 Marcos or University of California-Merced graduates earn more?
University of California-Merced graduates report a median $64,368 ten years after entry, $1,460 more than the $62,908 at California State University-San Marcos. 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 Marcos or University of California-Merced?
University of California-Merced: its completers carry a median $16,144 in federal loans versus $17,350 at California State University-San Marcos, a difference of $1,206. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at University of California-Merced, 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.