Chabot College vs California State University-East Bay: which has better ROI?
California State University-East Bay has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,280 in 1.6 years versus not at all at Chabot College, on median earnings of $71,401 vs $48,143 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chabot College | California State University-East Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,053 | $9,320 |
| Total net cost | $36,212 | $37,280 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,143 | $71,401 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $16,544 |
| Payback | — | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$40,552 | $423,540 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chabot College or California State University-East Bay?
Chabot College, at $9,053 a year after aid versus $9,320 — a gap of $267 a year, or $1,068 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Chabot College or California State University-East Bay graduates earn more?
California State University-East Bay graduates report a median $71,401 ten years after entry, $23,258 more than the $48,143 at Chabot 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, Chabot College or California State University-East Bay?
Chabot College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $16,544 at California State University-East Bay, a difference of $7,044. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
48% of students finish at California State University-East Bay, against 47% at Chabot 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.